Red Widow Spider: Facts About This Peaceable But Deadly Arachnid

If you do not want to collect a dose of venom, it is better you avoid the red widow spider when (or if) you ever come across one. This spider is one shy arachnid that will attack when it feels threatened or under attack.

After reading this informative article, you will see why it is important to always keep your environment and surrounding environs clean and why you should dust off your clothes and shoes before putting them on.

Not to get you scared, but stay wary, as there may be a spider lurking in the shadows!

 

What Does a Red Widow Spider Look Like?

Red Widow Spider
Red Widow Spider Picture

The red widow spider can be identified by the following bodily features:

  • Color:
    • It has a reddish-orange head.
    • It has a red-orange thorax.
    • It has reddish-orange legs.
    • Their abdomens are reddish or black.
      • The abdomen has orange or red spots, which are encamped by yellow or white borders.
  • Like most widow spiders, the red widow spider has a red hourglass shape on the underside of the abdomen.
    • Some species of red widow spiders have been observed to have just 2 distinct red marks or triangles on the underside of their abdomen.
  • The legs of the female red widow spider are about 0.5 to 2.0 long.
  • In terms of size, the male red widow spider is smaller than the female.
  • Their egg sacs are smooth and white in color.

 

Read also: Black Widow Spider in Virginia: Identification, Behavior & Control

 

Where is the Red Widow Spider Location?

The web of the red widow spider can be spotted in the following locations:
  • Shrubs
  • Rosemary
  • Scrub oak
  • Palmettos

The spiderlings usually build their webs close to the ground, but the distinct webs of the adults will be found to be 3 to 10 inches above ground level.

The traps in the web are referred to as snare lines. Once an unsuspecting insect flies into the snare, it usually falls to the cobweb sheet, and then the widow immediately captures its meal.

 

Red Widow Spider Bite

Red widow spiders are generally known to consume insects and show no sign of aggressiveness towards humans unless they feel threatened.

Below are scenarios that may force the red widow spider to bite you:

  • When it is trapped in your shoes or clothes.
  • When it is protecting its eggs.

A red widow spider bite is somewhat similar to that of the black widow, with similar symptoms even, and must be avoided at all costs.

People who are more vulnerable to the red widow spider bite include the following:

  • Young children
  • Allergic individuals or people with health problems
  • Elderly people

The above-mentioned people may experience serious complications if bitten by the red widow spider.

Death from a red widow spider bite is rare due to the small venom that they inject when they bite, but this does not mean there is no possibility.

 

What are the Symptoms of Red Widow Spider Bite?

After a red widow spider bites you, you are likely to experience the symptoms about 2 to 3 hours later; hence, you must seek medical attention immediately after you notice the bite.

Below are the symptoms of the red widow spider bite:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Hypertension
  • Intense pain
  • Malaise
  • Abdominal pain
  • Uneasy sweating

 

Red Widow Spider Venom

The red widow spider venom is quite toxic and injects neurotoxins that will damage nerve tissue and alter the nervous system’s structure or function.

This venom then causes intense symptoms like the ones mentioned earlier.

 

Read also: Black Widow Spiders | Facts, Behavior, Identification & Control

 

What are the Symptoms of the Red Widow Spider Venom?

The symptoms of the red widow spider venom are just what you get when the spider bites you, and they include the following:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Hypertension
  • Intense pain
  • Malaise
  • Abdominal pain
  • Uneasy sweating

 

How To Treat the Red Widow Spider Venom

Although there are antivenoms (RBS-AV (Redback spider antivenom)) that can be given to treat red widow spider venom, it is preferable that you go to a medical doctor for efficient treatment.

You should, however, note the following information about the RBS-AV:

  • RBS-AV is used when simple pain relievers like ice and paracetamol aren’t enough to relieve symptoms.
  • It is usually given within 48 hours of the bite but can be effective up to 90 hours after exposure. 
  • It is given for severe symptoms, like muscle cramping, or for moderate symptoms that affect the whole body. 

 

Can a Red Widow Spider Kill You?

A red widow spider bite is somewhat similar to that of the black widow, with similar symptoms even, and must be avoided at all costs.

 

Red Widow Spider Vs Black Widow

Red Widow Spider Vs Black Widow Spider

Red Widow Spider

Black Widow Spider

Size

The female red widow spider size is about half an inch long, with their legs measuring about 0.5 to 2 inches.

The males are about one-third the size of the females.

The female black widow spiders are usually between 0.25 and 0.75 inches in length.

The males are less than half the size of the females. 

Habitat

  • Shrubs
  • Rosemary
  • Scrub oak
  • Palmettos
  • Eaves
  • Boxes
  • Rodent holes
  • Basements
  • Barns
  • Inside unused Shoes
  • Patio
  • Deck crevices

Behavior

The red widow spider is a shy creature and will readily retreat when disturbed.

They are most active in warm months and prefer a dark, secluded area.

Just like the red widow spider, the black widow spiders are shy, nocturnal, and generally non-aggressive.

They are most active at night and prefer to stay hidden during the day. 

Body Shape & Color

  • It has a reddish-orange head.
  • It has a red-orange thorax
  • It has reddish-orange legs.
  • Their abdomens are reddish or black.
  • They are usually shiny black or very dark brown
  • It has a large, rounded, or oval abdomen

 

Read also: How to Get Rid of Black Widows

 

FAQs

Where Can I Find Red Widow Spider For Sale?

 

Conclusion

The red widow spider, though deadly, is not as dangerous as it seems to be. From the information above, this spider is very peaceable and only attacks when threatened.

It is better that you leave this spider alone when you see it to avoid being jumped at and stung while trying to defend itself.

What are those pending questions about this spider that we have not answered in this article? Do feel free to ask them via the comments section below!

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