In North America, there are a number of black widow species: Female black widow spiders are the most dangerous and are easily identified by the red hourglass on her belly with a shiny black body. Males, on the other hand, have red and yellow bands and spots on their backs. They also have longer legs and smaller bodies. Juveniles look like males.

Feb 12, 2025 · A black widow is any of about 30 species of black spiders distinguished by an hourglass-shaped marking on the abdomen. Black widows are found throughout much of the world. Although their venomous bite often produces muscle pain, nausea, and mild paralysis of the diaphragm, it is rarely fatal.

Adult female Brown widow spiders are dark brown and tan with a reddish hourglass mark that is duller compared to the bright red mark of the black widow. This spider also looks similar to the triangulate cobweb spider, which is significantly less venomous.

Female widow spiders are typically dark brown or a shiny black in colour when they are full grown, usually exhibiting a red or orange hourglass on the ventral surface (underside) of the abdomen; some may have a pair of red spots or have no marking at all.

Latrodectus hesperus, the western black widow spider or western widow, is a venomous spider species found in western regions of North America. The female's body is 14–16 mm (1/2 in) in length and is black, often with an hourglass -shaped red mark on the lower abdomen.

Black Widow Spiders have an hourglass shaped marking on the underside of their abdomen which, although most commonly red, may range in color from white to yellow to various shades of orange and red. Black Widow Spiders also have a small, usually red colored dot near the spinnerets, which is separate from the hourglass.

Jul 27, 2023 · Contrary to their name, not all black widow spiders are entirely black with a reddish hourglass mark on their abdomens. While females of most black widow species possess the characteristic...

Sep 15, 2023 · To identify a black widow from other black house spiders, look for the distinctive red hourglass markings on the underside of its abdomen. Black widow spiders are small spiders that grow between 0.1” – 0.4” (0.3 – 1 cm) long.

Hourglass marking: Black widows are identified by red hourglass markings on the underside of their abdomens. This marking is bright red and signals danger to predators and attackers. Color: Black widows are shiny black in color. Size: Most black widow spiders' bodies are 3 …