Most exposures to black widow spider venom are accidental, but in a rare medical case, the exposure was intentional.

Fortunately, fatalities are fairly rare; the spiders are nonaggressive and bite only in self-defense, such as when someone accidentally sits on them. The animals most at risk from the black widow' ...

Although black widow spider bites can be dangerous ... These creatures typically range in body length from 3 to 10 millimeters (about ⅛ of an inch to ⅖ of an inch), so the bodies are very ...

The black widow spider can be found on every continent except Antarctica. Its venom is toxic and painful, leaving victims to feel the effects long after the bite. Following is a transcript of the ...

The brown widow spider (Latrodectus geometricus) is a lesser-known relative of the infamous black widow. The first brown widow spider was discovered in Los Angeles in early 2000. A member of the ...

The venom of these spiders contains the neurotoxin latrotoxin and can be dangerous to humans. "Black Widow's venom poses a risk to humans, although it is rarely fatal," said Purgat. "Symptoms range ...

Every autumn there are reports of false widow spiders becoming uninvited eight-legged houseguests in homes across the UK. But despite looking similar to the more dangerous black widows, all these ...

View Full Profile. Learn about our Editorial Policies. The thought of black widow spiders is enough to send chills down one’s spine. Their painful bites contain a cocktail of chemicals, primarily the ...