How to Identify A Black Widow
Black widows are notorious spiders with a fearsome reputation. The bite of a female black widow is harmful because of its unusually large venom glands; however, bites are rarely fatal if treated promptly. The best defense again the bite of a black widow is avoidance, and the spider has a few characteristics that make them easily identifiable.
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Instructions
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Identifying a Female Black Widow
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1
Check for a shiny black body with a large round abdomen.
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2
Examine the size of the spider. A female black widow is usually about 1 1/2 inches long and 1/4 inch in diameter, or approximately the size of a dime.
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3
Look for the classic red or orange hourglass-shaped mark on the underside of the abdomen. Sometimes, the hourglass will be split or separated into triangles.
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4
Check for a row of red spots along the back, and a single red spot just behind the spinnerets.
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Tips & Warnings
Black widows usually build messy looking webs close to the ground.
Black widows are nocturnal and are more likely to be active at night.
They are non-aggressive and bite only in self-defense.
They are most often found in dry and warm areas, but can be found nearly anywhere in the U.S.
Most people who are bitten suffer no serious effects, however, bites can be fatal to to small children, the sick or the elderly. If bitten by a black widow, seek medical attention immediately.
References
- Photo Credit Ian Waldie/Getty Images News/Getty Images
