widow enclosure

[alex]

Hi
I'm getting a baby widow soon.
Is this a good enclosure for it?

Alexander

 

[Wade]

I'd say it's way wetter than it needs to be. Widows are very dry tolerant, especially in containers with limited ventilation. They will get most of their moisture from their food. I do LIGHTLY mist the web once a week in case they need to drink, but that's about it. I don't think they even NEED that much moisture, it's really a just-in-case type of thing.

Overly moist containers can lead to mold and other problems.

Wade

 

[alex]

Ok, I'll take the peat away.
Is it ok then?

Alexander

 

[Wade]

You could do that, or just let it dry out with the lid off for while before introducing the spider.

There's not much to keeping widows, really. A few twigs in a container and they're good to go. There's several good threads about them going.

Wade

 

[alex]

Ok, thanks for help.
How big jar do I need to an adult?

Alexander

 

[Wade]

I often use 32-oz deli cups to house adults, although I think they would be fine in even smaller containers.

How small is the baby? Is it a newly emerged spiderling, or has it at least gone through a few molts? Tiny, newly emerged spiderlings will be tricky to feed as even fruit flies may be to big. Hopefully it's far enough along to take small crickets.

Wade

 

[alex]

The baby is less then 1/2" from leg to leg.

Alexander

 

[alex]

I will get the widow very soon, but I'm a bit worried about how to get it to the jar.
Is it safe if I use gloves, or do you have any other ideas?

Alexander

 

[Code Monkey]

I will get the widow very soon, but I'm a bit worried about how to get it to the jar.
Is it safe if I use gloves, or do you have any other ideas?

I usually use a long handled paint brush to goad them where I want them to go. On the bright side, it really doesn't matter what you do because short of trying to squish the female there is almost zero percent chance that it would ever attempt to bite.

 

[xanadu1015]

I have a widow arriving this week, can't wait.....thanks Michelle!


Anyway, you guys pretty much gave him the info I would have.

I don't think you'll have a problem switching her to another container. Most of the black widows I have seen are very non-aggressive, and are usually quite calm. This is part of what makes them so easy to keep, that and you don't have to worry about keeping humidity up or a steady temperature. Black widows are very good at adapting to their enviroment. What I have done to give them water is dripped a little bit on to the web about once a week or less depending. I don't even really mist at all. As these guys have stated already, they will get moisture from their food. They are hardy spiders, so there's not a whole lot of worry involved. Good luck!


Laura

 

[alex]

I got my first widow yesterday and I love it!
But it is spending almost all the time sitting in the web and doing nothing.
Is your widow active?

Alexander

 

[genious_gr]

I guess its normal for a widow. About moving it, if its that small, it probably cant pierce your skin so you can use your hands freely, but please wait until someone else agrees before doin that

 

[Wade]

Widows are not very active. They will spend most of their time just sitting there, waiting for prey to hit the web. Then they perk up considerably!

Wade

 

[xanadu1015]

I got my widow today and she's just hanging out at the top of her enclosure. I've never seen a widow be all that active unless they have prey, then they are a flurry of activity. This one, which I named Charlotte, is very shy. It was fun getting her into her new enclosure since she was hanging on to the paper towel in her shipping container for dear life...poor thing. A gentle, little push with a paint brush and she finally went in without incident. Anyway, so far so good. As soon as she's settled I'll give her some food.


Laura

 

[PapaSmurf]

when i found my black widow in the woods last year i kept in a pickle jar and fed it parts of crickets. it died becuz i had to keep it outside and it got really cold and she died.I'd say keep the container dry and warm a light misting ever so often is good.... and like code said use a long handled paint brush to move it around they are very easy going other than that anyways hope you enjoy your Black widow just keep it up where no little kids can get to it lol.


Josh

 

[cotton]

We have a ton of widows around the house here in North Carolina, so many that it is pointless to keep them in cages. Whenever I want to see one, I only have to check under my porchlights.

 

[sansoucie]

Same here in Missouri. They're everywhere along with the wolf spiders and recluses.We had a huge wolf spider in the garage and I refused to go out there until it was "removed". I can take the big tarantulas, but those little spiders give me the willies.

 

[alex]

Here is the new tank for my widow.
Does it look all right?

Alexander

 

[Wade]

If it's big enough that it can't slip through the openings in the lid, then I'd say it's fine.

If the air is very dry at your house, it may be a good idea to lightly mist the web a little more frequently then I first suggested just in case. Your heat is probably on more than mine, and that tends to dry the air more. Still, you don't want it wet, you just want to give the spider a chance to drink if needs it.

Wade

 

[alex]

Thanks!
Here is my spider.