What Spiders Look Like

Black widow spiders are often found hiding in dark and secluded areas. They are especially attracted to houses with a high level of insect infestation. However, they also avoid animals, particularly humans.

One of the most distinctive features of the black widow spider is its egg sac. This is a small circular structure with silk spikes sticking out of it. The shape of the egg sac is reminiscent of a harbor mine from World War II.

There is a lot of variation in the color and pattern of the spider, from very brown to virtually white. These spiders usually have an hourglass shape on the underside of their abdomen. As they get older, the coloration gets darker.

If you have ever been bitten by a black widow, you know that it is not an easy thing to do. The bite is extremely painful, accompanied by a variety of symptoms. Some people suffer from dizziness, nausea, and even cardiac complications. In more severe cases, localized paralysis may occur.

It is easy to identify the female black widow, but it is more difficult to identify the male. Males are smaller and typically have a colored pattern on their tops. Their body length is about half of that of the females.

Unlike their female counterparts, males can actually have red markings. Adults can also have diagonal stripes. Those stripes are much more pronounced in the western black widow.

Another distinctive feature of the brown widow is its longitudinal stripe. The stripe starts at the rear end of the abdomen and extends halfway up the front. Depending on the species, the stripe is tan or orange.