What the heck is this?

[Bighead]

Found this guy in my living room. Anybody know what it is?

http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/35930_0_1Widow1.jpg

[doenoe]

The first thing that pops into my mind: black widow......................but thats just a wild guess. Did it have a red mark on its abdomen?
Im sure someone else here will know it for sure :D
Greetz Daan

[Bighead]

That's what I thought at first and I got really excited, but there's no red. It's just shiny jet black all the way around.

[Removed_2815]

That is a Black Widow, a Western Black Widow (Latrodectus hesperus). There is phenotypic variation in any population, including the complete lack of any red in some individuals of the Western Black Widow.
Be careful....
Ryan

[Bighead]

sweet. thank you.

[TheRedDragon]

Cool find! And a Widow at that! :)

[manville]

Yeah i am sure it is a Western Black widow. I have the exact same black widow.

[Dragoon]

Hey, a true 'black sheep of the family'!
Congrats on the find.
Does anyone know if the all-black can be passed on to the offspring or if it was a random mutation? Would the males not recognize her without the usual colors and refuse to mate her? Just curious.

"These words he speaks are true,
We're all huminary stew,
If you don't pledge allegiance to....
The Black Widow!"
D.

[Bighead]

I can't believe it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I went to check on her today and there was an egg sack in the jar!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't know what to do!!!!!!!!!!!! How do I keep her and the egg sack alive????? Ahhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just took pictures, but I have to get them developed and scanned before I can put them up. Where can I go for more information? I've only had her 3 days!!!!!!

[lowrider2004]

Black widow, do they have the same effect as the one's in U.S.A. or where ever the other's are? i never knew they were in b.c., should i be watching out for them now? can you die from these ones?

[Removed_2815]

Originally posted by lowrider2004
Black widow, do they have the same effect as the one's in U.S.A. or where ever the other's are? i never knew they were in b.c., should i be watching out for them now? can you die from these ones?
All latrotoxin is more or less the same. This means that the many species of Latrodectus all contain the same type of venom and are equally "dangerous." The Western Widow's range naturally extends into B.C. The bite from any Black Widow is unlikely to kill anyone (unless they are very young or very old). Some people don't even go to the hospital after a bite. It all depends on your sensitivity, some people will die from bee stings.....
Ryan

[Removed_2815]

Originally posted by Bighead
If you haven't read my other thread yet (http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/show...&threadid=42006), I just found one in my living room 3 days ago, and today I saw an egg sack in there with her. I have no idea what to do, but I want to keep and/or give away and/or sell the slings. What do I do and what are the legalities? I would appreciate it if any of you responded on my thread so I don't lose track. Thanks.

Jordan


There's plenty of information in my other threads in this forum pertaining to this issue. If you ask some specific questions I will easily be able to address them. I don't know what the legalities are, they are likely municipally regulated and therefore different in your town.
Cheers,
Ryan

[Bighead]

My girlfriend informed me I would not be keeping "those little black widow bastards" alive. It's disapointing, but I guess I would rather see her again than keep them. :(

[Cruciform]

You know, the babies could feed on her for YEARS if you could prevent dessication! And you get to keep both :D

Okay, maybe not the best idea...

[Leviathan]

LOL ok sorry but I thought that was funny

[Bighead]

Lol. I don't think she would appreciate that, but it couldn't hurt to ask...

[gonesnakee]

What she don't know won't hurt her. Spiders are easy to keep. Just hide them someplace deep & dark when shes around, they won't mind LOL Mark

[Bighead]

The thing is, she has an irrational fear of spiders, but I have a rational fear of her. She would hurt me worse than the widows could if she found out.

[SaIiLdVaEnR]

Then send it to me ASAP. :P

Aidan

[JonD]

Originally posted by Bighead
The thing is, she has an irrational fear of spiders, but I have a rational fear of her. She would hurt me worse than the widows could if she found out. LOL :D:D

[CHRISANDBOIDS14]

Brutal.