Latrodectus mactans

Black widow spiders are solitary, except during mating. They spin webs to catch their prey, which consists mainly of insects. Females are known for their occasional practice of cannibalism after mating, though this behavior is not as common as once believed.

After mating, the female lays eggs in silk sacs, with each sac containing up to several hundred eggs. The sacs are guarded until they hatch, and the young spiders are cannibalistic, often eating their siblings.

The black widow is easily identifiable by the red hourglass marking on the underside of its abdomen. They have a shiny black color and are relatively small, with females significantly larger than males.

Black widow spiders have been the subject of fear and fascination throughout human history due to their venomous bite, which is 15 times stronger than that of a rattlesnake.

Black widow spiders are not considered endangered. They are found in various habitats across the world and are adaptable to environments altered by human activity.