Pets

Pet black widow spiders are truly a rare occurrence, this is mainly due to the highly venomous nature of these spiders. Though not aggressive in nature, normal handling of pet black widow spiders, by amateurs, can lead to disastrous consequences, and pet black widow spiders are not very large either, making them difficult to track.

Once you are convinced that you can provide the amount of commitment and security associated with keeping a pet black widow spider, you can get them from either pet stores, though not many, or acquire them from dealers. Native to the US, except Alaska, they can mostly be found in agricultural areas. You can expect your female pet black widow spider to live anywhere up to 3 – 5 years, while males have a lifespan half of that.

When keeping a pet black widow spider, you will need to ensure that the pet spider habitat is the closest to the habitat you found the spider in. A small to medium sized fish tank is an ideal container for this species, and you can use anything from potting soil to wood mulch for substrate. A few twigs and plants and a lot of hiding places are enough to keep your black widow happy. A sponge soaked in water, regularly replaced with fresh water, is enough to take care of its water needs. Just ensure that there is no way for the spider to get out, as this could be disastrous.

Now pet black widow spiders will not tolerate the presence of another spider, and will immediately eat them, provided they are smaller in size. So make sure you keep your pet black widow spider in isolation. They eat almost everything smaller to them, which also includes crickets, which are usually bigger and hence there is a chance that your cricket might just end up feasting on your pet black widow spider, particularly if it has not been fed beforehand.

Another feature of black widow spiders is that they are shy and do not interact well with humans, so excessive handling is discouraged. Also the female of the species eats the male after mating, so if you are considering mating your pet black widow spider, then you might have a hard time finding a male if they are not native to your country.

Regarding their poisonous bite, the good news is that they do not inject a lot of venom in their first bite, though this should still not be left untreated. But on the whole is it best to avoid getting bitten, or even letting your pet black widow spider escape. Do not try to introduce your other pets to your pet black widow spider, as they do not like to socialize.

Extreme caution and consistent care will ensure that you have the best experience with your pet black widow spider.