Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Just caught a black widow in my basement! I'd like to keep her, but I know nothing about how to go about it. I need to know what to keep her in, what to feed her (I know insects - what kind, size, and how often), how to water her(or does she get it from the insects). Also, I was wondering what kind she is, she has the hour-glass marking on her underside, but she also has a red stripe down her back. I'll try to get a picture tomorrow.

Any help will be appreciated,
Erich

I decided to take some tonight. After further inspection, she has several dots(maybe three - one is shaped sorta like a heart) and a long stripe on her back. All are red and outlined in white.

Thanks again,
Erich

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it would help to know what part of the country you are in. Many juvenile black widows will sport the red markings on top as well as on the bottom, but as adults, only the northern widow (L. variolus) will keep the dorsal markings.. the others (western/hesperus and southern/mactans) lose them.
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Wyvern

The Invert Collection:
* 0.0.1 Aphonopelma anax - Texas Tan
* 0.0.1 Aphonopelma chalcodes - Desert Blond
* 0.0.1 Avicularia avicularia - Pink-toe
* 0.0.4 Avicularia geroldi - Brazilian Blue Pink-toe
* 0.1.0 Brachypelma auratum - Mexican Flameknee
* 1.4.0 Brachypelma emilia - Mexican Red-leg
* 2.1.0 Brachypelma smithi - Mexican Red-knee
* 0.0.1 Cyclosternum fasciatum - Costa Rican Tiger Rump
* 1.0.2 Grammostola pulchra - Brazilian Black

Sorry, I guess that would help. I'm in Shelby, NC - it's in the western part of the state.

You can keep her in a two gallon tank or any container about that size, just make sure it has a secure lid and has good ventilation. Potting soil(no fertilizers) can be used for the substrate. Give her a hiding place and stick some twigs in the soil for her to build her web around. Mist her web every few days. Feed her every three to five days. Small crickets or grasshoppers work great. She'll get moisture from her food too so you can alternate feeding/watering days. Good luck with her. I've had my Widow for almost a year now and she's been a good little girl.