The False Widow Spider makes a great pet. It is docile and easy to care for, but is not as dangerous the Black and Brown Widows. Their venom is very weak, and they are not aggressive towards humans.

Like the Black Widow Spiders, the False Widow feeds on crickets and other large insects although it is a smaller spider. The spiderlings can eat flightless fruit flies. They live in a tangled web, often considered a 'spring-trap,' which they weave. In captivity, False Widows require a very simple living area. In houses, where they often choose to make their homes, they often spin a web in a corner. They also often live under rocks or tree bark. The web is amazingly sticky and can ensnare almost anything that ventures near. The False Widow Spider is a member of the Steatoda genus, which can be found all over the world. This genus is known as 'the cobweb weavers.' They usually live in moist areas. The False Widow Spider in particular is found in urban areas around the world, including both the east and west coasts of the United States. There are fourteen species of the False Black Widow (scientific name Steatoda Grossa) in California alone. Like so many people in California, however, they are not native there. They are originally from various ports of call in Europe and are especially common in Israel, North Africa and southern Europe. The False Black Widow often preys upon true Black Widows in their environments. They are arboreal, meaning that in the wild they make their nests in trees. False Widows are not at all aggressive towards humans. They are generally gentle and calm and can often replace a Black Widow in the hearts of someone who does not want to keep such a dangerous animal. All spiders have some amount of venom, and the bite of the female False Widow is very mildly toxic.

As the name suggests, the False Black Widow resembles the Black Widow in coloration, although they are somewhat smaller. They usually average about 9mm, or under an inch in length. The False Black Widow is usually reddish to purplish brown in color, with yellow marking on the abdomen. They also have yellow markings on the carapace and legs. They also often have a red or yellow band on the front of the abdomen. Other species are gray with white markings, or all black. A common pattern is a white horseshoe on the front of the abdomen with white spots down the back. However, the colorations vary greatly and a majority of specimens are so dark that the marking are not visible. Almost all species have the band on the abdomen that often resembles a collar. False Black Widows do not have the distinguishing hourglass marking on their abdomen. Males of the species can be distinguished from females by their stature: males are usually slimmer than females. Males also have light stripes on their legs and a significantly smaller abdomen.

Adult False Widow Spiders can live in either a large plastic container or a 2.5gallon tank. As an arboreal species, it is essential that the space have some height. A good substrate is an inch of peat moss, soil, sand or vermiculite. They should be provided with branches, plants, etc. to build webs and climb on. The living area should be left at around 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit with 70 to 75% humidity.

There is currently no special breeding information in our databases for this animal. To submit breeding / propagation information that is specific to this animal please click here.