Ecology of the Black Widow Spider
Biome
Black widow spiders are found all over the world. Due to their adaptability, black widow spiders can live in Temperate forest, deserts, cities, and other places without extreme cold weather.
Habitat
Black widow spiders live in dark sheltered places that are usually close to the ground.
The webs are found under rocks and branches, in woodpiles, basements, buildings,
outhouses, dirt embankments, and rodent holes.
The webs are found under rocks and branches, in woodpiles, basements, buildings,
outhouses, dirt embankments, and rodent holes.
Intraspecific interactions
Black widow spiders are solitary spiders. They do not interact much with other animals. Some interactions between black widow spider occur while mating, or fighting.
Interspecific
Black widow spiders are very protective. The cobwebs they produce are very strong and are made to trap insects and other small creatures. When the black widow spider eats some insects, they help benefit other organisms that, for example, eat trees and pass on diseases. While spiders protect trees by killing harmful bugs, trees provide shelter for the spiders.