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Black widow spider

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Photograph of a Black widow spider.

Source: U.S. National Park Service. Available online: http://www.nps.gov

Black widow spiders (Latrodectus mactans) are found throughout the United States. Female black widows are long-legged, shiny, coal-black spiders with an orange, red, or yellow hourglass shape on their underside. Female black widows are usually about 2 in. (5.1 cm) across but may be smaller.

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Last Updated: 02/01/2008