Sources
Species References
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Southern Black Widow (Latrodectus mactans) — Matthew McCorkle, Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.
Species range, habitat, diet, lifespan, and natural history. This account is a general species reference, not a captive-care protocol.
Safety References
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How Dangerous Is a Black Widow Spider Bite? — National Capital Poison Center (Poison Control).
Venom, bite symptoms, prevention, and guidance on when to seek medical help. Linked from the site's FAQ safety answer.
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Protect Yourself! Workers May Be Exposed to Black Widow Spiders — Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor.
Workplace awareness and prevention guidance for encounters with black widow spiders.
Husbandry References
A dedicated, species-specific captive-care reference has not yet been adopted for this project. General natural-history sources should not be treated as enclosure, feeding, or watering protocols. A future Care Guide will list reviewed husbandry sources here and note where recommendations depend on life stage or conditions.
Project Documentation Notes
External references support general species and safety information. First-hand project observations are recorded separately in the Timeline and Gallery. These dated records document this project's events and images; they are not independent scientific studies or external sources.
Counts and status statements refer to the dates recorded with each project entry. Future references may be added as FAQ answers are reviewed and a Care Guide is developed.