What Size Are Black Widow Spiders?
WouterBlack widow spiders are usually a solitary species. They are nocturnal, so they are generally found in dark places. They prefer to live in undisturbed locations. They also like to build nests in crevices. They are able to create a loose mesh type web, unlike orb weaver spiders.
Male black widows are half the size of females. They have smaller abdomens and longer legs. Their coloration can range from light brown to orange, but most are light gray. They may have a striped pattern on the side of their abdomens.
They are able to produce a silken egg sac, which incubates for about 30 days. The sac contains about 250 to 750 eggs. The black widow female can lay up to 20 egg sacs during her lifetime.
The black widow spider is a venomous spider. Its bite can cause nausea, mild paralysis of the diaphragm, muscle pain, and even death. However, most people recover after the bite. A black widow bite can be especially dangerous to young children and the elderly.
The black widow’s life span is around one and a half years. Most of the time, the spider dies due to lack of food or shelter. They are also prone to cannibalism. Occasionally, they feed on woodlice and diplopods.
In the summer, the female black widow spiders look for mates. Their abdomens are usually hourglass shaped, with two transverse red marks separated by black. This marking helps them to identify the spider.
