Wild Facts

Photograph by George Grall

Warning! If you have a fear of spiders than today’s post is not for you; however, it is probably too late since you have already seen the picture of the popular spider above.  Don’t worry, it is just a picture and won’t do you any harm. In fact, if you keep reading you will find out exactly what harm the Black Widow Spider can cause.

The black widow spider is a popular and much feared spider. It is amazing how scary a spider ranging in size between 1.3-3.8 cm (0.5-1.5″) can seem to us. I guess the reason we panic when we hear about this teeny tiny spider has to do with the fact that it contains venom 15 times stronger than a rattlesnake. Yup, that would scare the pants off me.  Unfortunately, most people don’t realize that the quantity of this venom isn’t usually deadly. For the most part, if you are bitten by a black widow you will experience nausea, muscle aches and it may have difficulties breathing.  Heck, these are some of the same symptoms you would experience from the H1N1 vaccine.  Whatever happened to that pandemic? There have been occasions where the black widow has killed humans, however, they are usually the elderly, young or sick.  It is also important to know that the black widow doesn’t wake up in the morning put on its war paint and head out looking for people to bite.  They are not aggressive and will only bite as a form of self defense, so watch where you sit.

Have you ever wondered why this particular spider is called the black widow? Believe it or not, the reason you are thinking is correct! You were not entirely correct if you were thinking that the female finds some unsuspecting, rich male to marry and then murder him in order to get all of his money. Although, the female may kill and consume their mate after reproduction. This will provide the female spider with the energy required to lay her eggs. As a male, I am happy that I am not a black widow spider.

Photograph by George Grall

Warning! If you have a fear of spiders than today’s post is not for you; however, it is probably too late since you have already seen the picture of the popular spider above.  Don’t worry, it is just a picture and won’t do you any harm. In fact, if you keep reading you will find out exactly what harm the Black Widow Spider can cause.

The black widow spider is a popular and much feared spider. It is amazing how scary a spider ranging in size between 1.3-3.8 cm (0.5-1.5″) can seem to us. I guess the reason we panic when we hear about this teeny tiny spider has to do with the fact that it contains venom 15 times stronger than a rattlesnake. Yup, that would scare the pants off me.  Unfortunately, most people don’t realize that the quantity of this venom isn’t usually deadly. For the most part, if you are bitten by a black widow you will experience nausea, muscle aches and it may have difficulties breathing.  Heck, these are some of the same symptoms you would experience from the H1N1 vaccine.  Whatever happened to that pandemic? There have been occasions where the black widow has killed humans, however, they are usually the elderly, young or sick.  It is also important to know that the black widow doesn’t wake up in the morning put on its war paint and head out looking for people to bite.  They are not aggressive and will only bite as a form of self defense, so watch where you sit.

Have you ever wondered why this particular spider is called the black widow? Believe it or not, the reason you are thinking is correct! You were not entirely correct if you were thinking that the female finds some unsuspecting, rich male to marry and then murder him in order to get all of his money. Although, the female may kill and consume their mate after reproduction. This will provide the female spider with the energy required to lay her eggs. As a male, I am happy that I am not a black widow spider.