Species group · Arachnids
Widow Spiders
WAnimals has 2 species of widow spider, all in the family Theridiidae.
- 2 species
- 1 family
- 29 countries
- 129 parks
- Length
- 0.3 cm – 1.5 cm
- Lifespan
- 1 years
Ranges calculated from the entries that record the figure, not from all 2.
All 2 species of widow spiders on WAnimals
Each one has its own full entry. This group does not replace them: it brings them together.
Conservation status
No species documented in this group is genuinely at risk according to the IUCN, with the data available today.
See the global conservation statusWhere they live
Recorded in 29 countries. The ones with the most species in the group:
Where to see them
- Abruzzo, Lazio y Molise1 species
- Aiako Harria1 species
- Aiguestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici1 species
- Aizkorri-Aratz1 species
- Al Hoceima1 species
- Albufera de Valencia1 species
- Alonissos y Esporadas del Norte1 species
- Alta Murgia1 species
- Aralar1 species
- Arches1 species
- Archipielago de Cabrera1 species
- Arcipelago Toscano1 species
Did you know…
It has 13 red spots on its abdomen; it occurs in Spain but is very unaggressive.
From Steppe Spider
Historically it caused outbreaks of latrodectism among harvesters in Spain, Italy and the Balkans, when hand reaping coincided with the peak abundance of the females.
From Steppe Spider
Only the adult female can bite effectively: the male is minute and his chelicerae cannot pierce human skin.
From Steppe Spider
The male courts the female by plucking the threads of her web to identify himself before mating.
From Southern Black Widow
It catches insects and small arthropods that become tangled in its irregular web.
From Southern Black Widow
Its venom is up to 15 times more potent than a rattlesnake's, though the dose delivered is rarely fatal to a healthy adult.
From Southern Black Widow