Black widow facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Black widow |
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Latrodectus
Walckenaer, 1805
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Black widows are a type of spider. Their scientific name is Latrodectus mactans. They are known for their shiny black bodies and round abdomens. A special red hourglass shape is found on the underside of their belly.
These spiders are related to "false widow spiders" (Steotoda), which are not dangerous to humans. However, true black widow spiders can give bites that are harmful. Their bites can be very serious, especially for young children or people who are already sick.
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What Do Black Widows Look Like?
Female black widows are about 1/2 inch (12 mm) long. This size does not count their legs. That's about the length of a paperclip! Male black widows are much smaller. They are only about half the size of the females.
Males are usually brown or gray. They have red or white spots. Male black widows are much less dangerous than females.
Where Do Black Widows Live?
Black widow spiders live in warm places around the world. They like to build their webs in safe, quiet spots. You might find them under things like overturned boxes on the ground. They are also often found under the seats of outdoor toilets.
Black widows prefer to be left alone. Because of this, they rarely come inside homes where people live.
What Do Black Widows Eat?
Black widows are predators. This means they hunt other animals for food. They mostly eat insects like flies, mosquitoes, and beetles. Sometimes, they even eat other spiders!
Black widows catch their food using their webs. When an insect gets stuck, the spider quickly wraps it in silk. Then, it bites the insect and injects venom. This venom makes the insect unable to move or kills it.
Black Widow Webs
Black widow webs are not as neat as some other spider webs. These webs are usually built close to the ground. They are found in dark and protected places.
The silk of a black widow web is very strong. It is even stronger than a steel thread of the same thickness! The spider uses its web for several important things:
- Catching prey: Insects get stuck in the sticky threads.
- Signaling danger: The spider can feel if something touches its web.
- Protecting eggs: The spider builds a special sac to keep her babies safe.
Baby Spiders
Female black widows lay their eggs in a silken egg sac. This sac can hold hundreds of tiny eggs! The egg sac is usually shaped like a pear. It is about 1/2 inch (12 mm) long. The mother spider stays near the egg sac to protect it. She guards it until the spiderlings (baby spiders) hatch.
When the spiderlings hatch, they are very tiny and white. They look like small versions of their mother. As they grow, the spiderlings shed their skin many times. This process is called molting. During this time, they spread out. This means they leave their mother's web to find their own homes.
Black Widow Bites
Like all spiders, black widows bite for two main reasons. They bite to catch food and to protect themselves. They bite insects caught in their webs to stop them from struggling.
Most bites on humans happen by accident. For example, if someone accidentally squeezes a spider, it might bite to defend itself. Humans are very sensitive to the venom from a black widow bite. The good news is that black widows usually try to run away if they can. If something big touches their web, they often drop to the ground and escape.
Cool Facts About Black Widow Spiders
- Their venom is about 15 times stronger than a rattlesnake’s.
- They usually live for about 1 to 3 years.
- Female black widows sometimes eat the males after mating. This is how they got their name, "black widow."
- Their most famous feature is the red hourglass mark on their belly. This mark can sometimes be orange or yellow.
- Black widows are nocturnal. This means they are most active at night.
See also
In Spanish: Black Widow para niños
