This informative post will be published on Saturday in place of my regular one.  You are invited to participate with the opening question.

Brain Teaser Question

I am an odd number.  Take away one letter, and I become even.  What number am I?

(answer found at the end of this post)

Featured Facts

One of the most dangerous of all arachnids (spiders) in the United States is the black widow.  The female black widow is well known for her poisonous venom, nimbleness when moving, and ability to remain solitary and secretive.

Here are a few quick facts about the black widow spider:

• Diet:  Carnivore (eating other insects caught in its web)
• Size:  Females (1 inch) are about twice the size of males (.5 inch)
• Habitat:  Wooded, shaded areas; fallen logs; crawl spaces and basements

Female black widow spiders possess a body that has a distinct, shiny appearance.  The abdomen is almost round in its shape.  Males have white and red marks on their abdomen, and their legs are longer than those of females.

The life cycle of the black widow begins with the female laying between 100-400 eggs, which are stored in a brown, papery sac.  She will guard the eggs for about 20-30 days until hatching begins.  Spiderlings will transition from orange, brown, and white in color to more and more black with each molting.  They will need about three to four months to fully mature.

The female black widow’s red hourglass mark on her underside serves as a warning to other insects, birds, and humans that she is dangerous.  While her bite is venomous, only humans who are very young or old are most at risk of more serious complications or even death.  The male black widow presents no danger at all.

The venom found in a female black widow is about 15 times stronger than a rattlesnake’s.  Swelling may occur around the wound with other symptoms of cramping, sweating, and chills.  Since the spider is considerably smaller than the rattlesnake, the volume of released venom is much less.  A close relative of the black widow, the Australian redback spider, has more potent venom.

Cannibalistic behavior is sometimes observed with black widow spiders.  After mating, the female may sometimes eat the male, but this doesn’t occur as often as most people think.  Of course, the name “black widow” refers to this phenomenon.  Some spiderlings may consume smaller siblings–especially right after birth.

Top left and moving clockwise:  enlarged view of female’s shape, contrast with the male’s size and shape, female’s distinctive red hourglass mark, papery sac filled with eggs, spiderlings after hatching.  (courtesy of Pinterest)

Answer to Brain Teaser Question

Seven