Southern Black Widow (Latrodectus mactans)
Animal: Southern Black Widow (Latrodectus mactans)
Location: Out back on the house
Date/Time: Nov. 2, 2013 ~6pm
Mike’s Observations: This large black widow stood out in the corner of the house outside. Most of the insects next to the house are dead due to our pest control. Looks like this wandered into a corner. Interesting how small the eyes are, and how dexterous the legs are with the hooks on the tips of its legs. Not 100% sure this is a southern; this could be a western black widow. Zooming in at very close range without getting bit was a bit of an adventure. Spiders creep me out a bit, and after this photo shoot I have a new appreciation for this remarkable creature.
