The Black Widow: A Fatal Attraction

For a moment, think back on a time when you were sleeping and awoke to a feeling of pain somewhere on your body, upon closer inspection you realize it is a spider bite. Now in the moment, you don't think much about the bite that just occurred, but take the dull bite and get some much needed sleep. A regular spider bite is what you just received, one that most likely lives in the corners of your house, the particular species quite afraid of you and is just trying to protect itself.

In all reality however, if you lived in an area known for the dangerous Black Widow spider, then your night would be quite differently. The next day, you may find your nerves almost in a state of shock, unable to breath, or perform regular duties because of the high fever induced quickly. The best form of advice is to get to a hospital as soon as possible to remove the neurotoxin flowing through your bloodstream.

The Black Widow, a spider based off the family genus "Latrodectus," or a family group containing over thirty one species, it's technical name derived from the venom condition itself, called latrodectism. The name widow is termed as so because of the males sacrifice for the female to feast upon to ensure it's offspring's survival.

The male species of the genus are not poisonous, but the female is very dangerous to humans and can be spotted by a notorious red hourglass raised from the bottom ventral abdomen. To discuss the spiders complete Latrodectus silk strength, one finds that upon examination, that the equivalent of a copper and steel wire, but after equating density of both the wire and silk equivalent, studies find that the silk is much stronger.

These spiders seen from the eastern and western board of the United States, Mexico, The Middle East, China, and Africa. There seems to be a variation of the species that reside in each area, and each has a little difference to their markings, as one is an hourglass, spots, or stripes. The only part of the world where this genus cannot be found is Antarctica, and only because this particular family resides in warm sub-tropical climates, as well as cosmopolitan areas.

After the findings and examinations, an individual must really ask the question, "What am I to do if I see one?". It is very simple to try and avoid these spiders at all costs, but do consider that even though they are poisonous, they will not forcibly follow and attack you. This is because they are afraid of large creatures, but can become confused if your finger touched their web as prey, so just take an effort to be more cautious of your surroundings. The Black Widow is truly a fatal attraction, and if you are found unlucky, she might decide to part her fangs just for you.