Northern black widow (Latrodectus variolus)
Invertebrates · Difficulty: Expert
Key facts and care guidance for Northern black widow (Latrodectus variolus) (origin: The north-eastern USA, south-eastern Canada). Adult size around females 1–1.3 cm. Life expectancy 2–3 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Northern black widow: How big does the enclosure need to be?
20×20×30 cm, absolutely escape-proof.
Northern black widow: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 22–28 °C, basking spot No basking spot, at night 18–22 °C.
Northern black widow: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: Not required.
Northern black widow: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 2–3 years.
Northern black widow: Is it suitable for beginners?
No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 22–28 °C
- Night temperature
- 18–22 °C
- Basking spot
- No basking spot
- Humidity
- 55–70 %
- UVB
- Not required
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- 20×20×30 cm, absolutely escape-proof
- Substrate
- Dry substrate, branches and bark as anchor points for the web
Feeding
- Food
- Flies, house crickets
- Feeding interval
- every 7–10 days
Key facts
- Adult size
- females 1–1.3 cm
- Life expectancy
- 2–3 years
- Origin
- The north-eastern USA, south-eastern Canada
- Protection status
- A DANGEROUS ANIMAL – a medically significant neurotoxin; keeping it requires a permit or notification, varying by German state
- Brumation
- A cooler spell of 8–10 weeks
- 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
Instead of a continuous hourglass mark, usually two separate red bars. As with all widows: a small, inconspicuous body – the real risk is an unnoticed escape. Only in secured containers.
Do you keep this species?
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Related species
- Brown widow (Latrodectus geometricus) – Expert
- Mediterranean black widow (Latrodectus tredecimguttatus) – 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
What you need to start
To keep Northern black widow (Latrodectus variolus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (20×20×30 cm, absolutely escape-proof), substrate (Dry substrate, branches and bark as anchor points for the web), a heat source with a thermostat, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.
The complete, interactive care database is in the Reptoria app.
Last updated: 8 November 2026 · Editor: Reptoria editorial team · Sources include: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/N%C3%B6rdliche_Schwarze_Witwe, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latrodectus, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latrodectus_variolus
All values are non-binding guidance and do not replace expert advice. Research thoroughly from several sources before acquiring and keeping an animal, and observe the applicable law (species and animal protection in particular).