Brown widow (Latrodectus geometricus)

Short answers

Brown widow: How big does the enclosure need to be?

20×20×25 cm (tall; for one adult animal).

Brown widow: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–28 °C, at night 20–22 °C.

Brown widow: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: No UVB needed (nocturnal).

Brown widow: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: females approx. 1.5–3 years in captivity, males considerably shorter.

Brown widow: Is it suitable for beginners?

No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–28 °C

Night temperature

20–22 °C

Basking spot

—

Humidity

50–70 %, well ventilated

UVB

No UVB needed (nocturnal)

Enclosure

Minimum size

20×20×25 cm (tall; for one adult animal)

Substrate

A thin layer of slightly damp sphagnum or coco humus; twigs, cork and bark as anchor points for the web

Feeding

Food

Crickets, small roaches, flies; matched to their body size

Feeding interval

adults ~1×/week (every 7–10 days), juveniles 2×/week

Key facts

Adult size

females ~7–10 mm body (leg span 2.5–4 cm), males ~4 mm

Life expectancy

females approx. 1.5–3 years in captivity, males considerably shorter

Origin

Pantropical and cosmopolitan (probably originating in southern Africa or South America), introduced worldwide

Protection status

No CITES. But it is a medically relevant venomous spider (latrodectism): several German states apply dangerous-animal law – North Rhine-Westphalia's venomous-animal act, for example, bans keeping and acquiring it (with grandfathering and a registration duty), and Bavaria requires a permit. Check your state law before acquiring one.

Brumation

None (subtropical / tropical, warm all year)

Cohabitation

Keep them singly. Widows are solitary, opportunistic cannibals: a conspecific is eaten when food is scarce, and spiderlings eat their siblings soon after hatching. When animals are put together it is impossible to predict which one survives. For breeding, put the male in only briefly and under observation and separate them again afterwards.

Notes

Considered the most aggressive "true" widow when disturbed, though the venom is usually milder than L. mactans. Striking spiky egg sacs. Secure containers (with a safety catch) because of the venom. A common mistake: conditions that are too damp and poorly ventilated.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Mediterranean black widow (Latrodectus tredecimguttatus) – Expert
• Northern black widow (Latrodectus variolus) – Expert
• Red widow (Latrodectus bishopi) – Expert
• Redback spider (Latrodectus hasselti) – Expert
• Southern black widow (Latrodectus mactans) – Expert
• Pale widow (Latrodectus pallidus) – Expert
• Western black widow (Latrodectus hesperus) – Expert
• Noble false widow (Steatoda nobilis) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Brown widow (Latrodectus geometricus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (20×20×25 cm (tall; for one adult animal)), substrate (A thin layer of slightly damp sphagnum or coco humus; twigs, cork and bark as anchor points for the web), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.