HA! male variolus...check this out! (pics)

[KUJordan]

Here are a couple of the massive mature male Latrodectus I have obtained recently. These two are wildcaught, and I have a captive bred one that is even bigger! This first one I didn't realize was male until I got to the car. I thought it was genuine gorgeous female, but NOPE! Does this seem crazy to anyone else? Has anyone seen male widows this big before? These both have made very extensive webs and funnel hides. They eat as voraciously as any female I've ever had. Male #1 was found in a nest by himself with two empty eggsacs.

Male #1:

Male #2:

Let me know what you guys think...

 

[rex_arachne]

really cool. that's all i can say.

 

[mackids]

KUJordan, I was just curious if you were able to take any abdomen shots? if so could you post them
thanks!
beautiful shots by the way!

 

[KUJordan]

KUJordan, I was just curious if you were able to take any abdomen shots? if so could you post them
thanks!
beautiful shots by the way!

you mean the ventral sides of their abdomens? would you like pics of the hourglasses? or, I guess, the two small triangles pointing at each other?...

I'll see what I can do. I'm not as skilled at getting some of these incredible Latrodectus shots that others on here can do. Maybe I'm not "one" with the widows yet. I'll give it a shot though.

 

[orcrist]

I'm not so sure they're male.. the palps are enlarged, but I believe the females of some species are known to reserve the sperm sacks they get from the males in their own palps for a while, in case they get a better offer, making them appear to be males based on the palps? I've certainly never seen male variolus with that coloration or size, never mind making a web...

 

[JPD]

I've often been fooled by various Latro's whose body shape appears to be female only to find out a molt later that they are in fact male. Obviously well fed males........of course you may have a transvestite on your hands.