Characteristics of a Black Widow Spider
An important characteristic of the black widow spider is its comb foot. This row of strong, curved bristles is located upon the hind pair of legs and is used to pitch silk over captured prey.
Black widows are shy in nature. They are solitary, socializing only during copulation. Black widows are nocturnal and spin webs during daytime. They can sometimes be seen hanging upside down in their web, exposing a telltale hourglass abdominal marking. This marking is bright red and signals danger to predators and attackers.
The web of the black widow is irregular in shape. Constructed of rough silk, it appears disorganized but is actually carefully planned. Black widow spider webs contain three deliberate structural levels: an uppermost labyrinth of sustaining threads, a central area of twisted threads and a lower level of vertical trap weaves. These arachnids are surprisingly clumsy when not in direct contact with the web. When attacked, black widows drop from their webs to feign death.
Poisonous Spiders and Black Widow Spiders
Black Widow Spiders' Activity During Cold Weather
How the Black Widow Spider Received its Name
Extinction of Black Widow Spiders