Hourglass Exotics

Hourglass Exotics is a project archive documenting the establishment, husbandry, and development of a Southern Black Widow project. See the About page for more context.

The project records husbandry, observations, milestones, and captive propagation over time. See the About page for more context.

The project began in 2026 with a wild-caught Southern Black Widow founder female. The About page has the project background.

It was created to document the development and husbandry of the project as a continuing archive of observations and milestones.

The goal is to document the project while producing healthy captive-hatched and, eventually, captive-bred animals. Project context is available on the About page.

The project focuses on the Southern Black Widow (Latrodectus mactans).

Southern Black Widows are native to the United States and are especially associated with the Southeast. Reported range and local identification can vary; consult current regional references for a specific location.

Southern Black Widows are venomous, meaning they deliver venom through a bite. They are not poisonous in the usual sense of being harmful to touch or consume. While bites are uncommon and Black Widows are not generally aggressive, they should be respected as venomous animals.

They are carnivorous and primarily catch insects and other small arthropods in their webs.

Lifespan varies with sex and conditions. Many live about one to three years; some captive individuals may live longer.

Southern Black Widows are generally not recommended for beginners. Although they are typically shy and non-aggressive, they are venomous animals that require secure housing, consistent husbandry, and careful attention to containment.

The project began with a wild-caught founder female, and spiderlings have since hatched from egg sacs produced in the project. Any future availability announcement will clearly identify the origin of the animals offered.

There is no single schedule for every spider; feeding depends on life stage, prey size, and condition. A detailed Care Guide is planned, and husbandry should be checked against current, species-specific references.

It needs a secure, escape-resistant enclosure with appropriate ventilation and room to build a web. Exact setup depends on the spider's life stage; a detailed Care Guide is planned.

They need access to water, but the appropriate method depends on life stage and enclosure setup. A detailed Care Guide is planned; use current species-specific husbandry references in the meantime.

Milestones are recorded on the Project Timeline.

Photographic documentation is collected in the Gallery.

See the Availability page for the current status.

Announcements will be posted on the Availability page and shared through official project channels.

Official social links are listed on the Contact page.

Requirements can differ by state and locality and may change. Check current federal, state, county, and city rules with the relevant authorities before acquiring or transporting one.

Use a secure enclosure positioned away from children and pets, and avoid situations where accidental contact could occur. Routine enclosure maintenance should be performed carefully and deliberately. Owners should stay informed about current husbandry and safety practices appropriate for venomous animals.

Email and other contact options are listed on the Contact page.

Visit the Contact page for the ArachnoBoards community link and other official channels.