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Black Widow Spider

What is black widow spider?

· Sarah Mitchell

Key facts

Common name Black widow[2]
Scientific name Latrodectus[2]
Average life span in the wild 1 to 3 years[2]
Size 1.5 inches in length[2]
Marking Red hourglass on underside of abdomen[3]

A black widow spider is a venomous spider in the genus *Latrodectus*, known for the female’s black body and red hourglass marking on the underside of the abdomen. The name covers several species, not just one. Black Widow spiders are found throughout much of the world.

Context

The black widow is distinguished by an hourglass-shaped marking on the abdomen [3]. Black widow venom contains alpha-latrotoxin [1]. Black widow venom is reported as about 15 times stronger than rattlesnake venom [1]. Female black widows can bite and inject toxic venom [3]. Black widow spiders are found throughout much of the world [3].

Documented claims

  • Black widow venom contains alpha-latrotoxin. [1]
  • Black widow venom is reported as about 15 times stronger than rattlesnake venom. [1]
  • Female black widows can bite and inject toxic venom. [3]

Related

Questions and answers

Are Canadian black widows poisonous?

Yes, black widow spiders are venomous and found throughout much of the world, including Canada [3].

What happens if a human gets bitten by a black widow?

A female black widow can bite and inject toxic venom, which can be dangerous to humans [3].

Why are black widows so toxic?

Their venom contains alpha-latrotoxin and is reported as about 15 times stronger than rattlesnake venom [1].

Sources

  1. Black widow | Spider, Description, Venom, Bite ... - Britannica — britannica.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  2. Are Black Widows Dangerous? Facts and Myths About Black ... — news.ncsu.edu (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  3. Black Widow Spider Toxicity - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf - NIH — ncbi.nlm.nih.gov (retrieved August 3, 2026)

Sources last checked August 3, 2026. · More in Things