Black WIdows....

[Jack_Daniels]

Anyone know if there are laws against keeping black widows?... They're everywhere, where I live, Id like to set one up in an aquarium for a little bit of time to watch 'her' do what she does...
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[Jester^]

Would really depend on where you live.

Here in NC there are no regulations...

Hope you get to keep her... they are about the easiest thing to keep you'll come across. Mine just lost her juvenile spots... and is growing steadily. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]


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[ShadowHunter]

I don't know where you live but I know you can keep them in Florida.
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[Jack_Daniels]

Im in Virginia...

.. is there some kind of 'online law book' that has the regulations of what is 'keepable' and whats 'not'?..

Jester, how do you have yours set up?
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[impermanentrage]

I wouldn't keep one in an aquarium if i could help it. Not unless you want several hundred in your house later. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]



entropy,
Alex
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[Dr.Oviparous]

I don't know about you but my house has never been burst into by anybody looking for illegally kept black widows. diddn't you say before that you keep hots? you should already know the regs on this sort of stuff for your area..... or at least know right where to find it.... -Juggalo
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[Jester^]

I've spoken to several folks in Virginia who are keeping them, so I wouldn't think it is an issue there.

For Black Widows I think you'll find the more basic the setup, the better. I use Rubbermaid 2 Quart Round Jars. I put about a 1/2" of vermiculite in the bottom (for appearance only), a couple crossed twigs for her to web between, and drill several small holes in the top for ventilation.

Using this setup she is easy to see and she cannot climb the slick plastic of the bottle. The large screw-off lid makes it relatively secure yet allows plenty of access for removing food husks, molts, etc. It's actually a little more elaborate than the setups of many of the ATS folks I spoke with, but they look good on a shelf.

As others have mentioned, if this is an adult (semi-adult) female she may be capable of producing up to 8 or 9 eggsacs without the need of another mating. If you are going to keep the young and let them hatch in her container then you will need some fine mesh to cover the holes/opening of the bottle lest you have 300+ babies roaming around your house. I tend to remove the eggsacs and place them in deli dishes.

I don't believe I have any pics posted but I'd be happy to send you some if you're interested. She just molted and lost her juvenile spots... so cool.

Enjoy

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[eddie]

From what I have read in Reptile Magazine, most that keep widows keep theirs in deli cups to begin with.
It is secure and has enough air to last quite some time.
It is a simple ste up and will also keep any hatclings from escaping into the wilds of your home.
Typically what is done on hatching, is to seperate the hatchlings into their own deli cups after the first few days, after their first meals or so, which are normally their own siblings.

As for the laws, I can't say, as I don't know, but I really don't think there are too many laws on arachnids anywhere.
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[Jack_Daniels]

Na jug, up until now I dont think Ive ever flipped a page or looked for anything that had to do with 'arachnid laws' so I dont know up from down as far as that goes...

Now about that 'having 300 babies roaming the wilds of my house', I dont get down with that, heh.. thats not cool.. For now, its most likely a temporary thing so if egg sacs started being made I'd just let her go and let her do her own thing...

I was thinking the basic 'jar' set up like you were saying Jester.. The more I read up on them the easier they seem to be able to keep... Would the 'local bug life' be good as far as feeding her goes? Anything special needed?.. How do you provide water? Also, if you find yourself with an extra 5 or 10 minutes you dont know what to do with, Id love to see those pics, and see 'first hand' what set up you have.. My e-mail's JD@redtailboa.net Thanx..
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[Jester^]

I'll take some pics tomorrow when I get home and mail them to you.

As far as food, I've fed mine predominately small/medium mealworms, but also small crickets and lobster roach nymphs. She'll eat pretty much anything, just remember the usual warnings about trying to ensure that the food source has not come into contact with pesticides or other fertilizers, etc.

She will get all her water from the food so there is no need to maintain a water source in the container, nor is there really a need to mist the cages like other arachnids.

Talk to you soon.
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[Jester^]

Pics are enroute...
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[Jack_Daniels]

Mucho Gracias...

...still a little in 'awe' about the B.Recluse on yer finger pic. Risky bidness...
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