Only two types of spiders in north-central Texas and southwestern Oklahoma have powerful enough venom to be of medical importance. These are the Black Widow and Brown Recluse spiders.

Only two types of spiders in north-central Texas and southwestern Oklahoma have powerful enough venom to be of medical importance. These are the Black Widow and Brown Recluse spiders.

Rating high on the scare-o-meter are black widow spiders. With their infamous hourglass marking and supposedly deadly bite, they’re among the most feared and loathed spiders in North America.

They’re helping you, not hurting you.” Editor’s note: This article was updated at 5:35 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17, 2023, to correct that the red hourglass shape is on black widow spider’s abdomens.

News How to protect yourself from the black widow, America’s most venomous spider Updated: Aug. 08, 2023, 7:58 a.m. | Published: Aug. 08, 2023, 7:47 a.m.

While these spiders have venom glands, venom is actually present throughout the spider’s body and even in her eggs. The female black widow’s fangs are long enough to penetrate animal and human ...