Black Widow Spider

Animals Unique | Black Widow Spider | There are three game species of black widow spiders, all of the which have very similar characteristics and Inhabit areas in Northern America and parts of Mexico. Until very recently all three species of black widow spiders were classified as one but recent research shows That Inhabit as the species of different areas, the three species of black widow spiders have adapted to Their environment in different ways.

 

 

 The Northern black widow spider is primarily found in the north east of the USA and parts of south east Canada, although the range of the northern black widow spider Overlaps with That of the western black widow spider a great deal.The Western black widow spider inhabits areas of the western USA, Canada and parts of Mexico, although these western black widow spiders are Often confused for the False black widow spiders in Canada.

 

 

The Southern black widow spider is found throughout the south east states in America from Florida right up to New York, and are also found more towards west Texas and Arizona where the black widow spider is said to run rampant.The black widow spider preys on a variety Typically of insects, but occasionally They do feed upon woodlice and other arachnids. The black widow spider waits until the prey has been trapped in its web Quickly before They run out of Their den, wrap it up and bite it. The venom from the bite of the black widow spider takes about ten minutes to take effect so the prey is held tightly by the spider. 

 

 

When the prey of the black widow spider has stopped moving, digestive enzymes are released into the wound where the black widow spider bit it originally. The black widow spider then carries its prey back to its retreat before feeding.The black widow spider, although small, has extremely dangerous That venom is said to be more potent than the venom of a cobra. 

 

 

It is rare for a healthy adult human to be injected with a fatal dose of the venom from a black widow spider, and Generally bites will result in a large swelling around the bite and will cause the human to experience nausea, muscle aches and breathing Difficulties .The greatest amount of human Deaths Caused by spiders have been by the black widow spider, Mainly due to the enormous geographical range That is inhabited by the black widow. These instances have Increased Dramatically with the development of antivenin and more effective plumbing in households.

 

 

Black Widow Spider Facts Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: arachnid Order: Araneae Family: Theridiidae Genus: Latrodectus Common Name: Black Widow Spider Scientific name: Latrodectus Found: North America Diet: Carnivore Size: 1.3cm - 3.8cm (0.5in - 1.5in) Number of Species: 3 Average Lifespan: 3 years Conservation Status: Least Concern Colour: Brown, Black, Red, Yellow Skin Type: Shell Favourite Food: Insects Habitat: Urban, temperate forest and woodland Average Litter Size: 250 Main Prey: Insects, Woodlice, Beetles Predators: Wasp, Birds, Small Mammals Distinctive Features: Sharp fangs and shiny black and red body