Black Widow Shipping Stowaway Going On Display

A local company received a venomous stowaway in an out of state shipment today. A Westlake manufacturing company discovered a black widow spider in a shipment from Tennessee. Westlake's Animal Control Officer brought the spider to Lake Erie Nature & Science Center where our wildlife staff confirmed it is a black widow. The venomous species is recognizable for its dark coloration and red hourglass marking on its abdomen. Black widows earned their name because the female occasionally eats the male after mating. They have the most potent venom of any spider in North America and a bite can be fatal (rarely) to humans. Black widows are found in Ohio, but seldom north of Columbus.
Our wildlife staff is planning to move the spider to a secure display case later today, near our scorpion, tarantula and walking stick. Come check it out!