Widow care

[GailC]

I'm getting a widow next week and I don't know what kind of a cage to make for her. Any pictures or good care sheets?

 

[Canth]

Here's an excellent page
http://venomlist.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=1557

 

[Pulk]

this is how i keep mine...
solo deli cups are clear so the spiders are visible without having to open the container, they stack, and they're small enough to have a bunch of them but big enough for them to have real webbing. (4.5" dia x 3" high)
the sand is there just because spider poo on plain plastic is ugly.

 

[GailC]

Thats alot simpler then I was planning, LOL. I was thinking about using a gallon jar.
Do you give water at all? Thanks for the help.

 

[Pulk]

I mist over the whole area with the lids on once or twice a week, but I'm pretty sure that much is unnecessary. More experienced people can give you specifics and ideals for water (it can't hurt), but widows are really, REALLY hardy.

 

[David_F]

Thats alot simpler then I was planning, LOL. I was thinking about using a gallon jar.
Do you give water at all? Thanks for the help.

A gallon jar is big but if you'll only have the one it shouldn't be a problem. Nothing wrong with displaying a really cool spider in an enclosure that'll let it really web things up.

As far as water goes...what species are you getting? I've had westerns produce good sacs in completely dry enclosures. No misting whatsoever. Mactans and variolus I keep a bit more humid. If fed often enough most of the natives should do okay with very little if any water added.

 

[John Apple]

Gallon jars work well, just keep them upside down so all the spider poo is on the lid . Then you only have to wash the lid every now and then.
Easiest to keep this way I have found

 

[GailC]

I'm not sure of the species. It was caught local (Spokane WA). It gets fairly dry here in the summer but really wet in the spring.

I kept a widow yrs ago and I never gave her water, never cleaned her cage either. Oh the stupid things we do as kids

 

[Canth]

I'm not too good with range, but it could be L. hesperus or L. variolus.

Widows are amazingly hardy spiders...cept bishopi

 

[What]

In Washington I would have to say hesperus. I dont think variolus makes it that far west...

 

[problemchildx]

Yes hesperus. I have heard the widows from these regions tend to be a lot smaller than the midwest. Probably because lower temps and less food? Do you suppose this means they live longer than the larger widows?

Anyway I keep my tiny baby widows in vials, with a piece of paper towel on the bottom because they are so small they can be hard to see

They have grown considerably in the past couple weeks though!! I can see a teeny pink hourglass if I look hard enough

 

[GailC]

I got my girl today, looks like a hesperus. She is pure black with a perfect hour glass.
She's busy making webs right now, I'll try to get a couple pictures once she has settled down some.

 

[scolex]

Halloween belated pic

I guess it is time to change the flower for Thanks Giving now!

 

[Kryshah]

So, anyone who has read a few of my recent posts, knows that my wife has issues with spiders, and I'm a widow fan of sorts. I want to keep some Latros, but they won't be allowed in the house. I live in a temporate region, so cold dry winters, and hot humid summers. Would it be advisable to keep my latros (if ever I get any) in a storage shed outside? I would think that, since variolus, hesperus, and mactans all deal with this kind of weather in the wild, that it would be ok. They'd just hybernate through winter or something... any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[KUJordan]

So, anyone who has read a few of my recent posts, knows that my wife has issues with spiders, and I'm a widow fan of sorts. I want to keep some Latros, but they won't be allowed in the house. I live in a temporate region, so cold dry winters, and hot humid summers. Would it be advisable to keep my latros (if ever I get any) in a storage shed outside? I would think that, since variolus, hesperus, and mactans all deal with this kind of weather in the wild, that it would be ok. They'd just hybernate through winter or something... any thoughts would be appreciated.

I think you answered your own question regarding their ability to survive. It is debatable as to how many adult widows actually do overwinter though. Just make sure it doesn't really get below freezing and they should be fine.

 

[Kryshah]

I think you answered your own question regarding their ability to survive. It is debatable as to how many adult widows actually do overwinter though. Just make sure it doesn't really get below freezing and they should be fine.

That freezing point is the problem. It would definitely freeze, and I have no electricity run out there, so no chance of heating it. Thanks for the help KU.