Where To See Black Widow Spider? Black widow spiders don’t just inhabit their world, they’re a staple of it. These spiders are found all over the globe, hiding easily as most species are only around 1/8th of an inch in length and can camouflage themselves amazingly well due to their small size. Black widows have been known to retaliate before giving them away first, so you’ll have to be careful if you spot one on your property. In this article we’ll discuss some of the most well-known black widow subspecies from across the globe.
What Is A Black Widow Spider?
Black widow spiders are spider family members, including mites and scorpions. They are classified as arachnids, meaning they have eight joints in their body and an external skeleton made of flesh and bones.
Their webs are created by a silk-like substance which can give anyone goosebumps with its stringy appearance. These spiders tend to create their webs around garages or dark corners where prey animals would usually be found. Once prey gets caught, there will be no escape from the spider’s web – that’s why these webs are often found under pipes or next to ditches.
1. The Origin Of Name “Widow Spider”
The black widow spider gets its name because female spiders eat the male spider after mating. The males are much smaller than the females, so around half as big in size. Scientists observed black widows eating their mates during their copulation.
They did this by pulsing a chemical secretion into the male and then attacking him, making the toxic compound transfer to his blood. Experts believe that black widow spiders have comparable rates of cannibalism in the wild since females only devour their partners around 2% of the time.
2. Black Widow Spider Appearance
Black widows are some of the most recognizable spiders thanks to their shiny black bodies and red markings on the underside of their elongated abdomens.
Females are generally much bigger than males and sometimes have pink or red markings on their abdomens. Males usually only reach up to half the size of females, with female honey trap wolf spider reaching at least 0.5 inches in length.
3. Black Widow Spider Diet
Black widows eat insects and other spiders through the web. They use digestive enzymes delivered to the prey once captured, liquefying it so that they can eat it outside of their bodies. Some species have lived for a year or more without food.
4. Black Widow Spider Venom
Contrary to popular belief, most people bitten by black widow spiders do not experience significant harm. It is more or less passed away. These spiders are not hostile, they only bite in self-defense to protect themselves. So, if you want to stay safe, check your beds, chairs, and couches if there are black widows around before sitting down.
5. Black Widow Mating
On average, female spiders take around 6 to 10 days to mature. Araneus diadematus are known for their complex mating ritual.
They first spin a silk web, then use that as a way to transfer sperm into the female’s reproductive tract. Once she receives the sperm, the females spend up to 9 weeks laying eggs in papery sacs that could contain up to 500 eggs at a time.
Where To See Black Widow Spider Species?
The world’s mild regions, including North America, southern Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, and a large portion of South America are home to black widow spiders.
They can be found in areas such as wood piles and cracks. However, black widows frequently establish their homes close to residential areas and spin their webs inside and out of structures.
1. Northern Black Widow Spider
Michigan is home to many dangerous invertebrates. Among the notorious ones are fire ants, commonly referred to as “southern fire ants.” Fire ants can be found in dark places like your home or nearby wood piles. They’ll often enter into buildings when the weather warms up and people bring a few pieces of firewood indoors for the winter.
2. Southern Black Widow Spider
In warmer climates, black widows thrive, particularly in the Southern part of America due to the local temperature and topography. The most fatal spider species found in Florida is a Southern Black Widow.
Interesting Facts About Black Widows
We have gathered some interesting facts about black widow spiders so far, but there are still some amazing things you might learn by reading on.
1. Black Widow Is An Introvert
Black widows don’t have the ability to bite quickly and they will not attack humans. They are more likely to bite pets and other furry animals that get too close, but they won’t harm people unless they feel threatened.
2. Not All Spiders Are Black
Black Widow spider is a collective term that encompasses a variety of different species of widow spiders. The three most common types are brown and red widow spiders, but there are also several other colors found across the world.
3. Females Don’t Eat Their Male Counterparts Always
Female black widow spiders are best known for their signature red hourglass pattern, and notoriety as a deadly assassin of their partners. However, this reputation is typically unjustified.
4. Baby Spiders Are Dissimilar to Adult Black Widows
Widow spider nymphs are white when they emerge from their egg sac. They acquire a darker color as they go through successive molts, going from tan to gray.
5. Black Widow Webs Are Extremely Strong
Black widows are the one female spider known to have a web so strong, it can be five times more powerful than steel by weight. This means that scientists are trying to imitate this spider’s properties in synthetic materials and make them even stronger.
Conclusion on Where To See Black Widow Spider
Black widows are closely related to tarantulas, though they possess a much more powerful venom than their great-great grandmothers. Even though they’re not dangerous to humans and animals, those who have learned about these mini creatures are often keen to find black widow spiders and how to react when they’re around. They prefer to live in dark places and build their homes in communities.