How to Feed Black Widows

Black widow spiders have a diet that consists of a variety of insects stretching from the common housefly all the way to scorpions and other spiders. Black widows can be fed both live and dead prey. Although dangerously poisonous, black widows can be kept successfully as pets, will spin webs within cages and can even capture their own prey should a live food source wander into its habitat.

Things You'll Need

  • Gloves
  • Live crickets
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Instructions

    • 1

      Purchase live crickets. Crickets can be found in many pet stores and fishing tackle shops.

    • 2

      Put on gloves before feeding the black widow. Black widows are poisonous and gloves are a simple safety precaution that can help you avoid dangerous bites.

    • 3

      Open the lid or top of the black widow's cage or habitat.

    • 4

      Place a cricket anywhere in the habitat. Simply dropping the cricket through the lid will also work.

    • 5

      Quickly replace the lid or top of the habitat to ensure both the cricket and the spider do not escape. The cricket will eventually either be overtaken and bitten by the black widow or will become trapped in the spider's web. Black widows inject venom through their fangs that both paralyze its victim as well as begin to break down the insect's internal organs. After the insect is paralyzed, the spider will encase it in webbing. Once the digestive enzymes have completely broken down the insect's insides, the spider will suck them out.

    • 6

      Remove any leftover carcasses once the black widow has finished eating them.