Adopt me! Your contribution helps provide my food, toys, and medical care. I'll stay at the Museum, and you'll get a photo of me and a certificate as reminders of your generosity. We'll also list your name on a placard at the Museum. Check out our adoption section and see all of our adoption levels.

Black Widow Spider
Latrodectus hesperus

History
The black widow spider is a female, and she was donated to us by the San Francisco Zoo in August 2009.

Fun Facts
Even though our black widow hasn’t been around a male since she was donated, she has already laid one egg sac. Females can mate once and store the sperm, continuing to lay eggs without ever having to mate again

Diet in Wild
Insects and other invertebrates

Diet at Museum
Crickets

Life Span
In the Wild: 1-3 years
In Captivity: up to 3-4 years

Habitat
They will build their webs on the underside of ledges, rocks, and plants. In colder climates, they can be found in buildings.

Geographic Range
Found all across the US, mostly in warmer regions of the western US, and can be found in all 4 US deserts

Conservation Status
Very common, no special status