Black Widow
R.E.D Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I am your black widow
I lay all my eggs in your eye
I'd kill all my darlings for you, my love
If only you would stay one more night

I do not know why you love me so
I'm floating through your veins
I sway you in a silken shroud

In the end I'm going to swallow your heart

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of R.E.D's song "Black Widow" describe a relationship where the singer (referred to as the "black widow") has complete control over their partner. The metaphor in the opening line compares the singer to a spider who lays their eggs in their partner's eyes, further solidifying the idea that the singer is a manipulative and dangerous force in their partner's life. The line "I'd kill all my darlings for you, my love" suggests that the singer is willing to give up everything, even aspects of themselves that they love, for the sake of their partner's approval.

The next line portrays a sense of confusion and uncertainty from the singer, questioning why their partner loves them despite their toxic behavior. The metaphor of the singer floating through their partner's veins suggests that the love they share is all-consuming and potentially destructive. The lines "I sway you in a silken shroud/In the end I'm going to swallow your heart" clearly depict the danger that the singer poses, as they plan to completely consume and destroy their partner.

Overall, the lyrics of "Black Widow" depict a dangerous and manipulative relationship where the singer holds all the power and is willing to sacrifice everything for their partner's approval, even if it means consuming them completely.

Line by Line Meaning

I am your black widow
I am the woman who will trap you in my web.

I lay all my eggs in your eye
I invest everything I have in you and will do anything to make sure you stay with me

I'd kill all my darlings for you, my love
I'm willing to make sacrifices and give up everything for you.

If only you would stay one more night
I fear you will leave me and I want you to stay with me forever.

I do not know why you love me so
I am uncertain and confused as to why you find me attractive.

I'm floating through your veins
I have the ability to control you and you are completely captivated by me.

I sway you in a silken shroud
I wrap myself around you so that you can't resist me.

In the end I'm going to swallow your heart
I will eventually consume and destroy you completely.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

S N

When I lived in Florida in 2000, I had a very large spider climb onto my bed around 3am, (no, I wasn’t drunk or high), it was about the size of my hand, hairy like a tarantula, in shades of green and grey.
The only spider species I could find after hours of on line research that resembled it, was a small (size of a quarter) species that lived exclusively in an area of the Pacific Northwest forest. This spider looked exactly like the one that appeared on my bed.

But it was a tiny fraction of the size and lived on the literal opposite corner of the continent.

Between the few seconds I ran to my kitchen to grab a plastic bowl to catch it with and back, the gigantic grey and green spider disappeared from the middle of my bed.
I spent the next 3 hours searching every square inch of my tiny 375 sf house. I never found even a trace of it.
When I say it was about the size of my hand, I am a 6 ft 4 inch tall man with large hands.
That night is still the second most disturbing experience of my life.

All comments from YouTube:

Michael Dye

1y↑681

Fantastic video! My dad and I had a fun time meeting up with you. I can’t wait till next time.

MyWildBackyard

1y↑48

It was incredible! Heading down to Florida this week actually! Working with my good friend Emilio Pazmiño to get some awesome inverts and reptiles! We gotta get together and go rustle up some wildlife again this year!

Dragon King

1y↑3

🔺It's crazy because I came up with the idea of a Red Widow being the opposite of a Black Widow a long ago 🔺

Rick Lee

1y↑3

@MyWildBackyard, what's worse, the red widow or the Sydney funnel web?

Rick Lee

1y↑2

@bellbrass I'm aware of that. I'm Australian. I'm interested in knowing the extent of how lethal arachnids around the world are.

22 More Replies...

jim maddox

1y↑807

Steve Irwin would be so proud that wildlife warriors like yourself and Jack are carrying on the tradition of not only educating people about wildlife, but also the preservation of one of our most valuable resources🕷️🕸️

MyWildBackyard

1y↑124

Man that means a lot. Steve is THE inspiration for my work, I grew up to the Crocodile Hunter. I hope Jack and I can make a difference the way he did, that would be phenomenal

Clyde Field

1y↑14

Thank you guys

Aaron Wilson

1y↑8

Spiders definitely are one of our most valuable resources but they are important lol.

Aaron Daniele

1y↑4

So true

52 More Replies...

Simulated Reality

48w↑46

I, like many others, am vicariously living through you to overcome the fear of these fascinating creatures. I appreciate your dedication to doing what you do!

MyWildBackyard

47w↑2

Thank you! Glad to help ease your fears. I used to fear them myself, you know! Just takes time and a lot of study. You’ll get there.

Melody Szadkowski

38w

Spiders and snakes both suffer from the same handicap: unreasonable hatred from people. The best way to avoid getting bitten is LEAVE THEM ALONE.

Jayne Segman

25w

You are a thousand times bigger than a spider. the vast majority of them are non poisonous, and its easy to look them up up online just in case. I hope you respect other types of life on pur planet, and leave them alone. or just scoop up in a cup relocate them to the yard, cellars, or shed.
Thanks ; )

Spooks Bukowski

47w↑31

I wonder how many people walk past these and don’t even lose a thought about passing by seldom animal like this. Truly fascinating!

MyWildBackyard

47w↑6

Probably quite a few! We saw people out riding around on ATVs so people definitely zip past their nests

Rococo Goth

28w↑2

I love these videos because it's wonderful to see people appreciating spiders. I always left the long-legs alone in my house to catch bugs and make so many corner webs, and anything I couldn't ID I caught and released because I can admit they make me nervous and I don't want to get bitten at night.

Jayne Segman

25w

Me too, thanks for ypur kindness. you neednt worry about it, be because almost all spiders arent poisonous

Fudge Dredd

1y↑120

As logical as your explanations on how to handle spiders like this is… I’d never put that thing near me in a million years unless it was in a jar 😂.

Charissa Robieson

1y↑5

Same

Steven Joseph Miranda

1y↑12

Especially when the effects of its bite is permanent which I bet no amount of money or expertise can probably fix you after just one bite. 😬

Pohjanakka

1y↑1

I live in a country that doesn't have any dangerously venomous spiders, so I have been handling them all my life because I like them and was never taught to avoid them. They could bite, I suppose, but I have never been bitten. Just don't scare them by trying to restrict their movement too much, just let them walk kind of freely on your hands, the way he is doing. I learned that on my own because I didn't want to scare them, as said I like them.

KING_Cobra

1y↑1

@Steven Joseph Miranda that’s usually what “permanent” means is that they can’t fix it, otherwise it wouldn’t really be permanent, would just be hard to fix 😅

5 More Replies...

will bohland

45w↑76

Jumping spiders have so much personality. They always run out from cover to get the cold water when I spray the plants in the summer. I find them hiding everywhere, and they're always very grateful for that cold spray.

MrKevin486

42w↑3

Benevonixx

1y↑409

As someone who was incredibly afraid of spiders, I think I can still comfortably say that watching this man has made my fear factor of encountering spiders drop drastically. When I'm able to watch the experts talk about them and really see for myself that one of my worst fears can actually be surprisingly docile, it makes me feel more comfortable than I used to when be I see a spider. Ngl, I'm still decently afraid of them, but my fear is certainly less than it used to be.

MyWildBackyard

1y↑81

I’m saving this comment. It really means a lot to be able to have this effect on people. Having had my own fears and discomforts with these animals, but grown to love them, being able to make this change is incredible. Thank you for sharing your experience!

J o l l y G r a p e f r u i t

1y↑3

Good for you man, spiders are awesome

Samuel kundael

1y↑3

My fear dropped as a result of getting bitten multiple times in my sleep. After some time, I just got tired and used to it. First time was a bit worse but not painful but itchy, just a very big lump on my back with puss. Then my nose got bit, my ear, fingers, legs, etc.

Jonathan Stein

1y↑5

@MyWildBackyard my arachnophobia isn't what it once was, either. But angry, "hissing" Goliath Bird Eaters still give me willies. I encountered one at the Los Angeles Museum Of Natural History that was having a bad day, around 25 years ago now. The sheer size of these spiders is still intimidating to me🤣

Samantha Vanhees

1y↑7

I talk to them now haha! When I see a big one in our garage, I say that it can stay but not come inside (and yes, I sound crazy hahah). Not gonna lie: here in Belgium, our spiders are not that dangerous.

46 More Replies...

Bob Siddoway

51w↑3

Here in Idaho, Hobo Spiders are the one to worry about! They’re a new introduction allegedly from tropical citrus fruits being shipped in. I’ve had two bites from them. One made a huge ring of necrotic tissue on my leg that fell out and left a giant scar. The other I treated with charcoal paste and it still killed off tissue, but not as bad. I’ve heard of kids and elderly around here dying from them.

Gavin Haugen

50w

hobo spiders are not dangerously venomous they do tho have a bite that often cause gnarly infections

CryoraptorA303TM

27w

A lot of "hobo spider" bites are often not traced to a real spider and many times the necrosis is a result of an infection due to improper cleaning of the bite. Many alleged hobo spider bites are actually probably down to various common Agelenids, as they are all capable of biting humans. The giant house spider in particular has large fangs and can deliver a nasty bite if it wants to, probably one of the nastiest bites of any Agelenids. It is simply not reported as many people think of common Agelenids like giant house and domestic house spiders as being unable to harm people when they most certainly can. A good number of "hobo spider" (or "false widow" in Europe; much hysteria around the introduced noble false widow when none of the supposed bites match up with widow-family bites at all) bites are also likely down to various wolf spiders as they are easily confused with Agelenids.

itsretzy

1y↑68

This guy handling spiders like that makes my anxiety go off the charts, I shake my shoes out before I put them on every time and run over a house spider, you sir are a unbelievable. BTW i live in Australia

Dr XP

52w↑2

I mean tbf if I had SFWs to worry about I would shake out my shoes every time too

John Nordlund

51w↑4

Australia?.. ofc you shake out your shoes..😮... You should.. I do not want my feet at all i australia🫣

Valérie Des

51w↑6

As a Canadian that endure 6 months of cold weather, I prefer that to your spiders. Sorry.

Ms Tamaraa

37w

Oh my God, I would never go to Australia. I have such a big fear of spiders and blood. And I am also a Canadian so-

3 More Replies...

Anthony Goodley

1y↑78

I've encountered Black Widows several times when I lived in Las Vegas. Even had a scary close call with 2 preggie Widows. But I never heard of a Red Widow until now.

MyWildBackyard

1y↑13

They’re pretty cool! So hype I got to see one!

Kyle Norris

1y↑12

There are brown widows, red widows, and 3 species of black widows found throughout North america

Stu Brice

1y↑3

You look for the spikey web sacs

T KC

52w↑2

Yep and the deranged looking web around the dark corners they put them. Under seats outside everywhere if you’re not careful.

FlamingoSoup

51w↑1

please never use the word "preggie" again

6 More Replies...

Dorian999

43w↑5

It's people like you that has actually helped me with my arachnophobia. I'm not saying that you cured me but I don't get as freak out when I see spiders I let my wife sleep now.

MyWildBackyard

43w↑1

Hey I’m glad to hear it. You’re doing great just challenging that fear, and the fact that you can coexist with spiders is really good progress!

Jayne Segman

25w

Haha… You are a thousand times bigger than a spider. the vast majority of them are non poisonous, and its easy to look them up up online just in case. I hope you respect other types of life on pur planet, and leave them alone. or just scoop up in a cup relocate them to the yard, cellars, or shed.
Thanks ; )

Ethan Michael

46w↑12

No way this man just casually picks up a black widow. Props to you my guy, massive props!

Justin Harker

31w

He's being way over dramatic about it. Black widow bites for most people are not a lot worse than bee stings

Dippface

1y↑184

As a Florida native lived in Marion County for the first 24 years of my life. Im willing to bet this is in the Ocala National Forest by the looks of this place. There were more trees all over the ONF before 2004 when we had those hurricanes. I love to see my home state like this and you did very well showing the wildlife nature. Great Video.

MyWildBackyard

1y↑38

Don’t wanna reveal location but it is from ocala somewhere! Glad to be able to show off these creatures in their habitat, and I’m actually heading back down next week to hit central and south Florida for filming!

Dippface

1y↑21

@MyWildBackyard In summer time, if you havent been, i always recommend going to this place called Juniper Springs. Its right off of SR40 or Silver Springs BLVD.

MyWildBackyard

1y↑21

@Dippface I’ll make the trip! Florida wildlife is so unique, absolutely love it!

Trine Daely

1y↑4

(former) Tallahassee lassie here, would like to see him hit Apalachicola National Forest, St. Marks lighthouse refuge area, and Wakulla Springs as well.

John Smith

1y↑3

@MyWildBackyard What is the nerve damage that a bite victim would have?

21 More Replies...

Kawika Jones

1y↑10

What I learned from this video is that the good thing is that these particular spiders are HARD to find which means we won't most likely encounter these spiders normally.

J 331

1y↑3

I just found a black widow casually with making its webs outside my house a few months ago, now i’m kinda scared 🤣

Straight White Male

1y↑2

I've had plenty of Black Widows in my backyard, so I think it's just the Red Widows that are rare.

Jean

34w

Yeah . I'm here in Kentucky found lots black widows . If we have the black widows wouldn't we have the red also ?

Moondoggie

1y↑6

What an absolutely beautiful species of widow to learn about. So glad the 4 of you met up and enjoyed the day searching and keeping each other safe out there.

Taylor

47w↑10

Jumping spiders can also kill other spiders like the brown recluse which I've seen a lot this year, last year I saw a lot of jumping spiders and I've started to see a few this year as it warms up in Colorado. Take care of every jumping spider you see because he might help you out later on by Jumping on another spider and taking them out like a lil ninja.

RottenApple

1y↑11

Latrodectus bishopi (Red Widows) are quite common in the true spider keeping hobby. A couple hobbyists have been bitten and the effects weren’t really any different from the mactans or hesperus.

Jenn 1234

26w

Wonderful video Spencer! These are beautiful but deadly spiders for sure! Thanks for info! Have a great week! 😄💙🐬🐍🐊🫶🏼

Jude Thaddeus

1y↑140

Jumping spiders are the only ones I’m not TERRIFIED of; they are absolutely adorable

Yessir

1y↑18

They're the only spiders I've ever handled and that I'd ever consider handling, it's so fun to watch them, they exist in 30fps lmao

Renée Gudjon

1y↑7

Yes I've heard sliders are much worse than spiders. Especially those on Dune. They slide sideways until they bite

YOUTUBE CENSORSHIP SUCKS

1y↑11

The cheese burger sliders are the best.
I don't fear them at all but they definitely fear me...

Bruce leez

1y↑5

But when they bite it burns lol. Feels like match was lit blown out then put directly on the skin. That's the only way I can describe it.

Jude Thaddeus

1y↑2

@Yessir have you always been an arachide-lover?

18 More Replies...

Trudy Eagan

30w↑2

They were in my house. About 25 years ago for several days in a row I found them in their webs below knee high in my dining broom. The extension office said that couldn’t be till I took them one for positive id. On the hews a couple of days later was the report of an infestation around a pool in Brandon and they were also found in a yard in Auburndale. I truly hope they stay as rare as you say they are.

Brandon Thompson

1y↑2

I have been so unbelievably afraid of every type of spider my entire life, due to some unfortunate events. But I've never been able to put aside that fear to learn about these creatures until your informative videos! I feel like I've gone through exposure therapy and I'll be a lot more friendly to the 8 legged creatures I encounter in my home. Thank you so much for helping me get over a pretty crippling phobia of mine

Daniel Whitaker

29w↑4

While there, you were near to Latrodectus geometrica, the Brown Widow. They're an outdoor species as well, but won't avoid a home or garage. Latrodectus is often called a cobweb spider, but their webs are actually tent webs. You'll find a hanging arced "floor" with ascending catch webs rising to a single point, like a teepee. Prey bounce off the risers and drop to the web, where caught. If you're looking for Pirate spiders ( Mimetidae) they'll be found hanging around the top of the widow web waiting for the perfect oportunity to munch on some babies, or maybe even mom. The Pirate's venom has a blocker to prevent the widow from dropping her leg if bitten, allowing it to enter the cephalothorax and do it's dirty work. Spiders are fascinating in the myriad of strategies they employ.

Jayne Segman

25w

Daniel Whitaker

25w

@Jayne Segman In the mid 80s, I was charged with the care, feeding, breeding, and milking of around 450,000 spiders from roughly 43 species. I'm very familiar with spiders and the insects they eat.

DidgeriDan

1y↑5

Wow I actually found a few of these guys in the woods of some farmland in North Carolina. Found two underneath a old rock fire pit deep in the woods. I wondered why it was different looking then normal Black widows with the red coloring and red spots on the back with little white rings! Thanks for the knowledge!!!

Patric Currie

1y↑2

Congrats on so many views! Glad to see your channel is growing. Any YouTuber whos passionate about wildlife and wildlife education deserves a big audience. There is so much toxic garbage content on YouTube with an ungodly amount of views, so I want to encourage you and other YouTubers who produce quality content to keep fighting the good fight. Even if you inspire one person to go outside and appreciate the natural world, you're doing an important service. Keep it up!

MyWildBackyard

Thank you so much! I’ve gotten a lot of comments lately that I’ve helped people overcome their fear of spiders, and getting a bigger platform thanks to videos like this has helped increase the amount of people I can help! It’s a strange feeling tbh. But I’m glad I get to do it. Thanks for helping make it possible!

The Wildlife Brothers

1y↑88

You truly did these spiders justice man, no better way to say it than that. This is one of the most polished videos on your channel to date, the sound design and the editing were absolutely perfect and you portrayed this story on camera as well as you’ve told me the story yourself. Red widows are among the most amazing spiders in the country in my opinion, and they’re absolutely a dream species to encounter. I’m not at all surprised that this video is killing it.

MyWildBackyard

1y↑9

All thanks to your feedback! I knew I had to do this spider the justice she deserved, and I’m so hype to see all the people who are now discovering red widows for the first time- AND the shocking lack of “kill it with fire” and prevalence of “oh she’s beautiful”

Samantha Wauchop

JustaFormer 11B

1y↑3

Hold up… I’ve seen this spider many times here in southern Mississippi… had no idea it was so elusive and venomous! I actually assumed it wasn’t as bad as the Black Widow… go figure.

Roderick Morales

1y↑3

I’m so scared of spiders 🕷️ but looking at them like this and learn how they are just not ready to bite you and that they are magnificent animals, it’s just incredible and takes that fear of them away! Thank you for showing us this amazing little creatures! 🕷️ 👍🏻 👍🏻

MyWildBackyard

1y↑1

Glad to hear your fear is subsiding! These creatures fascinate me, and I love being able to share them with others. I found my fear became excitement over the years, so hopefully that same journey will happen for you!

The Hermit

31w

She is absolutely gorgeous! I love the Latrodectus genus of spiders and the Theridiidae family in general. Such stunning little spiders and so shy and placid. We have lots of Latrodectus hasseltii where I live, and I marvel at them every time I come across them. One of the few families of spiders I'm willing to handle, just because of how placid they are.

MyWildBackyard

31w

That's so awesome. One species I really want to see one day is pallidus. The White Widow. Such and awesome rare spider

1 More Replies...

Indigo

33w↑4

You can see and feel his excitement and joy with finding this elusive little lady. She is a beautiful spider..but I will leave her alone! 😆

Matt Ban

1y↑3

I just recently got bitten by a Brown Widow (same venom as the black widow but in smaller doses). That was worse than a desert scorpion (bitten 2x) in my opinion. It hurt SO bad, I couldn't imagine this thing. Terrifying.

adriaNotfun

1y↑151

I admire how calm you are while holding that spider

MyWildBackyard

1y↑30

That’s part of the trick! Handling venomous species like this, you have to manage your nerves and remain as calm as possible. The calmer you are, the calmer the spider will be!

Bird Flipper

1y↑4

I don't! Heebie jeebies

AncientMystique3

1y↑7

@MyWildBackyardmy 6 year old is obsessed with snakes and spiders. We live in australia and homeschool and your channel is amazing for education for him. Thank you for being so passionate about a creature people are usually to afraid to admire. 💫🔥

Andy Siebert

1y↑3

I was actually gonna ask if they are able to sense fear, then I googled it, and it looks to be inconclusive. But I'm guessing someone with your level of expertise would have a sense of that. A "Spidey" sense of that lol

MyWildBackyard

1y↑3

@AncientMystique3 glad to be able to help him learn! Any particular critters he’d like to see covered?

5 More Replies...

joel driver

1y↑7

I got bit by a brown recluse in Norman, Oklahoma back in college around 1994. It took 4 months to fully heal and was one of the worst experiences of my life. The first 10 days or so it hurt so bad I couldn't sleep. These kind of spiders that are this poisonous are incredibly dangerous. I had no idea there was a spider in Oklahoma that was capable of such a thing. It's good that you're educating people. I wish somebody would have educated me before that happened.

Cory V

45w

There are books people can read even back in 94. It's just people don't think to look up things that can kill me or hurt me in my state.

Deetroiter

1y↑2

I used to be very terrified of snakes and watching Steve Irwin, he really showed me the other side of snakes and that it’s like the movies where they chase you down to attack you. They have a purpose and catch a lot of rodents, etc. I even worked up the courage to hold and pet a snake. I can see videos like this gentleman helping people that way with spiders. I always let the ones around my property just live there because I can see how many other insects or pests they catch. If the spiders not bothering me, why bother it? If I find one in the house, I simply catch it in a cup and then go put it outside.

Cory V

45w

Yeah, most snakes are like spiders they rather not bite you and waste the thing they need to hunt.

Beefaroni Bert

1y↑26

this man and coyote peterson are the scariest people ive ever seen. willingly letting and even pushing critters to bite them (in the name of science of course) and not even being cruel or harmful to them. just showing us what happens. shits inspiring but scary as hell to see lol

MyWildBackyard

1y↑7

A lot of it is just to show they’re not monsters. Takes a bit of pain tolerance but I’ve loved these creepy crawly things all my life, wanted to help clear their names

Beefaroni Bert

1y↑1

@MyWildBackyard ill always be afraid of spiders (cept jumping spiders <3) but ive known for years theyre just animals not serial killers or monsters even if they are frightening. to some degree i do love spiders but ill probably never get over my crippling arachnophobia lmao

MilqOG

You should watch the guy who dresses as a crocodile to swim with them guys fearless

Bullets ForTeeth

1y↑1

Your production value is awesome Spencer, it's been amazing watching your channel and career grow. 🕷🕸

MyWildBackyard

Thanks man! Hope you’re doing well, work treating you alright?
Edit- your to you’re I’ve been driving all day so my brain is fried

Bullets ForTeeth

@MyWildBackyard I'm hanging in there, I just got a lot of irons in the fire like everyone else. Seeing young men like yourself take off in your careers inspires me to keep going every day. I can't wait to see you hit 1 million subs! It's gonna happen, just keep reaching for that brass ring my friend.

clv

45w↑1

I've spent my entire life in rural central FL. There's a good chance I've been exactly where you're at, looks like the sandy trail roads of ocala national forest. I'd like to think I can identify just about any vegetation, fish, snake, or bug in the pine/cypress/palmetto country. I can't believe I've never heard or seen a red widow. Awesome stuff

Vera Crow

1y↑40

You holding her made me feel nervous because I didn’t want you to get bit, but I definitely agree with widow’s being really chill.

MyWildBackyard

1y↑11

I was a bit nervous too. When working with a new species, I take my time to calm myself down so that I can carefully analyze the animal’s behavior and better predict what will happen next. Such a lovely creature in the end though.

BowlingVanJapan

1y↑5

I used to see widows like that red one here in Japan. They would live and make webs on the exhaust vents outside the front door of my old apartment. Maybe they are something similar or an invasive species, here.

Moki Mocha

34w

I remember picking up a black widow here in Texas. I came to show my mom and she screeched. I can say from personal experience, they are very chill. She was very very sweet.

Drake Gravely

30w

you're insane, but thank you for what you do!! Spiders give me the chills.

Jasmine Cluney

42w↑1

They have absolutely been bred in captivity. They are relatively common in the spider keeping hobby. With half a second look at arachnoboards I found we have successful pairings and egg sacks as far back as 2006.

cutthroat 420

1y↑4

One night, I was fishing for a few hours sitting on a set of stairs. I looked to my side with my flashlight to grab dome bait and realized I had a fishing buddy. A rather large black widow was sitting next to me all night without a care. While she didn't seem to mind, I felt a bit like I had trespassed into her space. My rule with spiders is that as long as you aren't in my space, we are cool. That was really the only time my rule backfired on me, but at any rate I felt just fine giving her some more space. I even kept the light on her web so she could get her fill of mosquitoes.

Sara Gates

1y↑23

Incredible! This was such a treat👍 Thank you for giving us a peek at such a rare treasure! 🕷️👑💎

MyWildBackyard

1y↑6

Glad to be able to! Absolutely wonderful creature, and an unforgettable journey. Thanks for tagging along!

G. K.

1y↑1

First time coming across this channel. Very impressive. I have only been bitten by a spider on two occasions, but I remember them. Seen what a brown recluse can do to a thumb of a friend as I we watched his entire thumb look like it was going to fall off but he only ended up with a slight permanent divot.

Hi, it's me

I'm in total awe of spiders and their abilities and you guys are doing a great job on your channel. One question, why do you think that something so small that hunts insects need that type/amount of venom?

Fayrothedon 97

29w

Im in Stone Mountain Georgia, and I came across a black widow spider years ago on the side of my house below the chimney outside. She was a big spider and was very aggressive. I had to get some strong raid to kill it. Even after spraying the spider raid spray, the spider was still aggressive trying to bite. It did eventually die after me spraying it with raid over 10 times lol

Jose Noy

Hand to god, I’ve seen this exact spider in a friends backyard deep west of Miami, FL. The backyard practically bordered the Everglades…

Never knew what it was but was very curious because of the bright red legs and pattern on the back.

Sarvo

1y↑2

I live in the Amazon and it's amazing to see spiders in the wild. I have some bird spiders (Theraphosidae, in English it's also called tarantula, in Dutch we call them bird spiders) in my garden, once I found one in my bedroom, hiding. Amazing creatures, they are so chill but I don't like them to walk on my skin, it feels a bit scary even though I'm not afraid of spiders 😄

MyWildBackyard

1y↑1

They do feel a bit peculiar. And even in English we call the big bird eating tarantulas bird spiders! I hope to make it out that way one day to see those tropical spiders

Sarvo

@MyWildBackyard Well, I'm not here for hunting spiders, but to learn about shamanism. You're always welcome to stay here in Tarapoto!

ANGRY BIRDS 311

1y↑33

The colours of the spider is beautiful, But the bite is absolutely INSANE, I hope everything went well for you

MyWildBackyard

1y↑10

No one took any bites! It was an amazing adventure, hands down. Extra thanks to Michael and Daniel for making this possible

Eric Stevens

1y↑1

can you do a video on the Hobo spider 🕷️ ?

Babette Osel

1y↑34

Most spiders I am not in fear of thankfully, but to get purposely bitten by one in any name is just plain nuts to me.

halfg567

1y↑4

anything for views right haha

ademm Mahmoudi

47w

@halfg567 for since

halfg567

47w

@ademm Mahmoudi Ill take comments that make absolutely no sense for 200 Alex

SirNunyaBuiz

42w

@halfg567 That's called education, he's not Coyote Peterson that exaggerates the hell out of everything.

ChopsueyPlays

It’s crazy how confident you are when you hold the spiders, as much as I love other animal conservationists, they don’t really ever risk even picking them up. You’re really showing us they aren’t aggressive (usually)

MyWildBackyard

Usually is the key. Probably saw that a few months after this one (this was filmed in November) I got tagged by a widow at a different locality. Very unusual but does happen.

ChopsueyPlays

@MyWildBackyard what kind of widow? Now I gotta see it!

MyWildBackyard

@ChopsueyPlays red widow unfortunately 👀

ChopsueyPlays

@MyWildBackyard oh man, what’s the worst bite you’ve ever had?

carson coleman

1y↑1

So beautiful!!! I'm absolutely fasciated by spiders! I can't wait to see more!! I have a C red rose, she's so chill. It's just as you said, a gentle hand and calm spirit and they make amazing creatures to live with a ND amongst. I love how intelligent they are!

Lefty Keys

1y↑2

Fascinating! Great perspective, too. But I'll admit, I get a little nervous watching these dangerous spiders crawling on Michael’s hands & arms.

MyWildBackyard

1y↑2

They’re not aggressive fortunately. Don’t try this at home though!

Geridos

52w↑2

I was in Israel once and we found one inside the house under a bad, we took it to the reptile zoo where they confirmed this is a rare red widow and they could not explain what it was doing in this habitat! I will never forget it.

Arvu ReBantra

1y↑14

I love the colors on this amazing critter. Glad you were able to find and share this lovely looking species with us!

MyWildBackyard

1y↑3

She was so stunning! You know I can’t resist the opportunity to share creatures like this with you!

Frenposter

So happy for you, being able to find a red widow! Spiders creep me out (adore cellar spiders though!) but your underrated videos really help abate that fear. Cannot thank you enough, man.

The sinner Jim Whitney

1y↑3

I found a red widow the only time I was ever outside of town in Florida, haha! I've also found both an indigo snake and an eastern spadefoot toad, both also on my 'legend' list, though admittedly I've spent much more time outdoors in their habitats (the latter being right here in my backyard in the Ohio River valley in OH, KY, and WV). I'm sorta lucky, I guess. Not being familiar with the species, I never thought these were particularly rare, I just knew I'd seen them in books and not to mess with them.

Aaron-James LeMay

So interesting to see someone enjoy spiders crawling on them 😮

John Paul Bacon

Awesome video. Thanks for making these very informative and educational videos at the risk of your life - keep up the Great work :)

Charlie

I'm curious if you're aware of the relationship between beekeepers and black widows because it seems in California the favorite meal of the northern Black Widow is wax moth.

Jason Vermont

1y↑17

This was absolutely terrifying to watch at first I never knew there was a red widow before but holy good mother of god Im glad you didnt get bit as terrifying as this was to watch I found it very interesting and enlightening thank you

MyWildBackyard

1y↑2

Glad you enjoyed! Oh you know when I first heard of them I was ITCHING to go search 😂

Xalthran

Living in the countryside of Polk County, FL (Central Florida, not giving actual city), as a child, I would explore the dense woods, seeking the various insects and critters I could find, hoping by some miracle to uncover something never discovered (I was a child. Haha.), from the age of eight til present, though I slowed down after fifteen, I have only ever spotted three my entire life.
I've handled every spider in Florida (I believe), even black widows on numerous occasions, but this is one that no one could pay me to handle.
To go a lifetime in pain on top of the growing pains as you get older. . .
Yeee-nope!
No thank you!
Lolz!

keir farnum

1y↑5

0:25 That looks more like an Australian red back than a black widow. I didn’t know black widows in North America could have the red stripe on the back as well as the red hourglass underneath. Fascinating.

MyWildBackyard

1y↑2

That’s the northern widow! They do resemble redbacks in some populations

Christy

It’s definitely a black widow. Sometimes they do have red on the backs too and sometimes, though rarely, they are just solid black. But they have a very distinctive shiny look… like here.

HippieWithA Gun

I found a Red Legged Purse Web Spider a few years ago here in Arkansas. I wrote a blog about it, took pictures, and even a video. I was shocked when I found it because it immediately looked to me like a mini tarantula.

TrilogyBPM

I've always wondered what these spiders were. I live in north central Florida and used to see these as a kid wandering the woods, they would nest exactly where you looked in the fold of palmetto bushes.

Jereme Coleman

This is one I always wanted to find. Found brown and black widows before, never this one. How many are thought to be alive currently?

Sutherngirrl

1y↑18

Yay!!!! There she is! Congratulations Spencer, I know this was a very special find. 🤗

MyWildBackyard

1y↑6

Thank you so much! Oh it was insane. We actually found 2 more before the end of the day, Zach and I both got ones of our own! Absolutely fantastic adventure, never gonna forget it.

Texas Lock Picker

1y↑1

First time watching your videos. Definitely awesome what your doing! Many people in the public definitely are misinformed on many arachnids. Maybe your videos will help people with thinking before automatically jumping to the discussion to kill them.

MyWildBackyard

That’s my thought! I like to lead in with the bite and fear- meet my viewers where they are. But I can shift that narrative by showing these animals as something beautiful and remarkable rather than a frightening monster. Thanks for watching!

Jamie Suzanne

Wonderful video!! I was born and raised in FL, currently in OK. I always love seeing stuff about my home state. Florida is truly beautiful with so much to see and do! This is the first video I've seen of you and I'm happy to say you've got yourself a new subscriber! I look forward to seeing more! Happy hunting!

Mike Spaulding

This looks like Ocala national forest. I used to live near there, Marion county.

.There are lots of huge banana spiders in the woods. Lots of brown widow spiders around the house. I never heard of anyone being bitten by one though.

Halfcircle H Ranch

52w

I didn't even know there was a red widow spider. Last year, I found a brown widow in my house... I live in northwest Indiana. I had just opened a package a bit before, shipped the day before from Florida. No great mystery how it ended up in my house.

Robert Lang

Interesting. I’ve never of this spider. Really beautiful in its own way. Thanks for this.

nathanbacon3

1y↑7

It's interesting to see how calm you are when you handle these awesome creatures. I watch your channel to learn about spiders mainly but from watching you I gained the confidence to handle a jumping spider for the first time. It was an awesome experience and it was almost alien to me to see just how curious the spider actually was, it was looking straight at me! I wouldn't handle a red widow or even a black widow though, I'll leave that to the pros!

MyWildBackyard

1y↑2

Being calm is part of the trick! If you’re calm, the spider is calm. And jumping spiders are the BEST one to start with, they were what I did to beat my own fears! Such inquisitive, curious little animals.

Gabrielle Bragg

1y↑2

Jumping spiders are the cutest ones. They're like cats 😌😊

GTARICOCHET 18

Awesome stuff Spencer, one of the best wildlife vids I’ve seen in a while🙌

Dylan (the cool)

1y↑2

he always seems a bit scared, and i don't blame him! i could never even let a harvestman on my arm 🤣

Keith Adams

1y↑1

Spiders are so cool! I used to be deathly afraid of them mostly because of the movie Arcachnophobia. But watching all these YouTube videos I know that they are not out to harm you. At all. So I am not nearly as afraid of spiders as I used to be.

Pat C

51w

OMG! I think I might have seen a red widow in Denver Colorado. If anyone knows if it would be possible for these windows to live at higher latitudes, please let me know 😃

StrikeEagle784

1y↑14

What a gorgeous spider, thank you for your hard work to make this video! As big of an arachnophile as I am, I've never heard of this species of Latrodectus before. It goes to show you how diverse, and massive the arachnid class is.

MyWildBackyard

1y↑1

That’s why I love them! So much to learn about arachnids, and arthropods in general. It’s easy to spend hours in the woods just wondering over these creatures cause they’re LITERALLY full of scientific secrets

isaac Chauncey

Thank you for this. Excellent production, information, camera work, and entertainment. 👏
-avid tarantula dad

Noah Hultgren

1y↑2

Great video, this is one of the first invertebrates I've seen you handle that gave me a little anxiety. Beautiful spider, and just a docile as the black widows which I've handled before, I certainly wouldn't handle this though, especially not with just my hands.

MyWildBackyard

They’re extremely docile. I wouldn’t handle something if I thought there was a significant chance they’d bite (at least of like medically significant species)

The Phoenix Raiser

Firstly, you called out at the end of the video your encounter with a purse web(?) Spider, and I have already seen that video as well, and it was wild. The fangs on that spider, being a technical tarantula, were amazing. Proportionally too big for her body, but still awe inspiring. I hadn't seen this video until tonight, I'm actually in Southern Florida for work as I type this comment, and I just found this video recommended after rewatching your video on the Bold Jumping Spider. Props to you for another awesome, educational video about such a fearsome subject. I've never even heard of a red widow, and I have a field guide book of all sorts of insects and spiders common to North America. The spider section of that book is my favorite to look at, despite the chills I always receive when viewing those pages. Suppose that field guide is over a decade old by now so it's certainly outdated, but still. Maybe it's human nature, but the things I fear most also fascinate me more than anything. You yourself are a gem to the wildlife community, and to the educational side of YouTube creators. Always love watching your videos and seeing your fearless yet respectful interactions with so many creatures that most of us fear greatly. I'm glad to be subscribed to your channel, and to continue seeing the work you do for the world. The more people that see your videos, the more effect your work has on the whole world, and that is amazing. Keep being awesome, brother. And definitely don't intentionally try to be bitten by something like that. After all, we all still wanna see you around for the next video you make

MyWildBackyard

Thank you so much. Sorry for the late reply, was out on production and just got back to NC to begin editing, but it really means the world to read this. I grew up working with all these little creatures, and watching shows on Animal Planet like The Crocodile Hunter and River Monsters fostered a flame that grew into what you see today. I want to share the secrets of the natural world- the weird little creatures we usually walk by- with the world, because those insane creatures have so many stories to tell us, just as many as the megafauna of the African savannah or tropical rainforests. Definitely not going to be intentionally bitten by this one, that's for sure. Plenty more adventures to come, I'm not goin anywhere.

Redwan Dennaoui

Tremendous knowledge & respect for the environment. And a good sense of humour

Thrifty Nurse

48w

First time finding black widow in person was underneath my toddlers slide out back 😮 there was 3, one in each corner underneath the slide platform, with egg sacs and all. I usually dont kill spiders but we killed those ones. Made me feel sick to my stomach thinking she had recently played on that with them right there underneath, thankful noone got bit and i started checking underneath her toys outside every week after that. I actually still post a reminder for my friends w little kids every spring when it pops up on my fb memories, and my "baby" is almost 14 now lol so it was a long time ago

EliWild1

1y↑5

Phenomenal work Spencer! I have a hard time sitting through long form content due to my busy schedule but your video captured my full attention and I was in the edge of my seat the entire time. Keep up the excellent work!

MyWildBackyard

1y↑1

Thanks man! This was definitely my favorite one to produce in a long time, it means a lot that the council of wildlife creators is enjoying it!

Gary noname

It looks very similar to the Noble False Widow that we get over here in the UK. Obviously much much more venomous and the mark of the back is different, but the red legs and the body shape is similar.

Trevor Dunkley

1y↑1

Widow spiders are seriously so chill haha. Had one for a pet as a while and she liked to snuggle up in-between my fingers. Had many spiders and she was the most calm when handling and actually seemed to like it. When I'd get her out she'd just go to her spot and plop down haha. Spiders are so cool and it makes me sad how much hate they get. Honestly one of the most docile animals. More likely to get bitten by your cat or dog lol

Domenick boucher

51w

That’s a big can of nope from me, chief.

QUABLEDISTOCFICKLEPO

When I was in Jr. High School, around seventy years ago, my fellow students in a science class had collected about seven spiders that were kept in a jar in the classroom. One day, I caught a Black Widow spider and placed it in the same jar. The next day, the Black Widow was the only spider alive.What kind of spiders were the dead ones? I just remember that they they had yellow coloring and that they were bigger than the Widow.

goldfieldgary

1y↑1

What a beautiful spider! I have been bitten by the black widow (L. mactans), the last time it happened I couldn't grip anything strongly in my hand for a couple of months! She must have given me quite a dose.

Mrs TCJ

I breed and raise Latrodectus bishopi. Such beautiful spiders and interesting web designs. They web, trap and behave slightly different from the other US native latrodectus. The males are just beautiful and so incredibly tiny. Captive raised females live roughly 12-15 months. Males live 6 months to a year. I also raise and breed latrodectus mactans, hesperus and variolus. Im in California so I can safely release the hesperus slings into an area where there is no human population. On average only 2- 3 slings from 100-200(ish) that hatch out of 1 egg sac will live a full life. The hesperus arent technically beneficial for insect control in a human populated area but are still part of an important eco system. Bishopi are by far my favorite though. The bishopi are sadly on the threatened species list because of the over development in the very specific areas where they live in Florida, as well as the disruption of the natural eco system which provides them with a certain scarab beetle. This beetle supplies them with over half of their food supply. This same beetle has been known to infest and kill native scrubland trees so the bishopi are doing what nature intended them to do. In my experience the bishopi are extremely docile and not as likely to "react" out of fear and bite. Dont be mistaken though, they do try to intimidate by certain body movements. I think its neat to watch. The latrodectus we should ALL be worried about is the 7 (I believe) different variations of the geometricus. These are originally from Africa and Madagascar. I also raise these. I don't breed or release them because they are already invasive. I do it to experience behaviors. They can be sketchy and unpredictable at best. Most are shy, will hide or drop and play dead for days.. some run around (inside their enclosure) frantically at the slightest motion. Not my favorite. Its interesting though the different color variations of the geometricus. From almost white to a dark brown. so dark its almost impossible to tell the difference between them and the mactans or hesperus. Check for the orange (not red) hourglass. If we don't preserve and assist the bishopi population they will become endangered and eventually extinct. We fear the unknown. Education is essential. Widows only bite when they have to. Their venom is the most precious part of what they are and its limited so they save it for sizable prey. They don't aggressively attack humans or animals. Often a latrodectus will "dry bite" if threatened by a life or death situation. This is a real bite with no release of venom. The hesperus, mactans and variolus females almost never willingly leave their web "home" their entire 2-3 years of life. Again, we fear what we don't understand. Back to the geometricus/brown widow though. This species can now be found worldwide now. It lays many egg sacs at once.. many times its life. This species is spreading out here in the US. The brown widow is adapting to different weather patterns and not just a more tropical type environment which is why they are heavily populated in the South. The geometricus is eventually going to threaten all native Latrodectus by quickly over populating. Let's start with preserving the bishopi.

Holly Smith

1y↑8

The highlight of my week! Widows were the first spiders to make me genuinely afraid. They were also the first I found genuinely beautiful. I've been bitten by a widow before and wouldn't like to imagine a worse bite than that! Stunning spider!! 😍

Mendicus Machli

What was that like after being bitten?

MyWildBackyard

1y↑1

Fortunately bites from a red widow are extremely rare- so much so that there aren’t any in the medical record, only researchers crazy enough to test bites to see what the effects would be.

Holly Smith

1y↑1

@Mendicus Machli I was bitten by what was most likely a southern black widow. It was absolutely unpleasant. At first I thought it might have been a dry bite, but about 20 minutes later I noticed a growing ache and bruise which later turned into muscle cramps nausea and sweating. It was a gradual increase. A couple hours later I decided to head to the ER. A valium and a good night's sleep later I was much better but still in pain. It slowly decreased over the course of a week and while I felt mostly well days 5-7 I didn't feel fully recovered until day 8. Would highly recommend fighting your instincts to "swat" when you feel a bug crawling on you.

Holly Smith

@MyWildBackyard wow! That's some research I'd love to look into! I've spent most of my life surrounded by widows and have grown to really love them. Well may be my favorite group of spiders.

goldfieldgary

Widows have always made me jumpy, when I was a kid we had a homeless man who slept under some shrubs, he was found dead the following morning with multiple black widow bites. I imagine the alcohol in his system didn't help any either.

4 More Replies...

Valinov Gaming

1y↑26

Im genuinely concerned for the mental health of people who let venomous animals bite them but at the same times I'm impressed by their planetary big brass balls

RTStx1

37w↑1

Clickbait title, the venom of the red widow only causes pain and muscle spasms, the brown recluse destroys flesh and the black widow is worse than the red...... clickbait title.

2 More Replies...

Perry Thomas MUSIC

I was bit by a brown recluse when I was eighteen, so a LONG time ago, but I remember the misery I was in for awhile. I admire people like this guy, who does this type of research and education to the general public. Like people who study bears, sharks, and other dangerous creatures, the odds stack up against you eventually, so hopefully he will be careful and not just take it for granted that he won't get serious injured someday. Hopefully, not, but you are dealing with nature.

Trevor Jameson

A brown recluse is the ONLY spider I'm actually afraid of, and will kill them on sight if they're in my house. I have experience with black widows in the shed and under things, and they are very docile and don't move around much. But Brown Recluse's come out at night to hunt, and wander all over the place. We had a neighbor many years ago who died from a Brown Recluse bite. He waited too long to see a doctor and the necrosis became septic. I've been bitten by a wolf spider before, and it was no big deal, just felt like a pin prick (it was in my shoe). So I will escort a Wolf Spider out of my house and into the yard, but a Brown Recluse must be exterminated.

Perry Thomas MUSIC

@Trevor Jameson I agree. I have no use for them. I have been bitten by a few things, a scorpion, raccoon, squirrel, and a copperhead snake. I got lucky with the snake. It was a time of year where they ween't quite as potent, plus it got me in the back of the foot and it didn't get a good bite in. I still swelled pretty badly though.

S N

Perfected Evil

I was bit by a black widow as a child. It made me very very sick for almost a week. So in general, spiders freak me out. However, there is one subspecies of spider I find adorable, and that's the jumping spiders. The beautiful jumper you showed in this video was so cute. I had a Phidippus audax that lived in my RV with me, and every now and then the little cutie would climb on top of my monitor and watch me type, or game, till it decided to go off and do other spider things. It's nearing spring here now and I haven't seen my little friend for a while so suspect it has gone off this mortal coil. I hope one of it's relatives comes in and decides to live in my RV this spring. Any other spider.. nope. But a Jumping spider? Make yourself right at home little friend.

Fang Le Wolf

42w↑4

I'm glad that jumping spiders can't cause bad reactions from biting you and even then they straight up refuse to bite and would much rather flee, or i would be literally dying from arachnophobia.

Phil C

1y↑67

You're crazy letting spiders bite you. I got bit years ago by the Hobo Spider and was messed up for 6 weeks!
Good luck and stay healthy!

Eric Stevens

is a hobo spider a nasty bite ?

RottenApple

1y↑2

@Eric Stevens No, it really isn’t lol

goldfieldgary

1y↑7

@Eric Stevens It can be, every bite is a different event, involving different quantities of venom, and individual response to the bite. Not to mention the possibilities of bacterial infection.

Fetam

1y↑5

Not sure If It was a hobo or a yellow sac but I got bit by something on my inner arm I was laying down for two weeks. Worst chest palpitations. Couldn't eat anything besides yogurt and granola.

14 More Replies...

vortexgen1

I never even knew about a Red Widow. All the venoms are very medically useful. We haven't found their full potential use for most of them yet, given some time I'm sure we will get there. We have the solutions to a problems we haven't figured out yet, that is why we need to be careful of allowing plants and animals to disappear off the Earth forever, and not just for their medical value but their diversity and beauty in many ways.

Ewok

1y↑6

The red widow spider 🕸️ is gorgeous, it deserves respect not death.

MyWildBackyard

1y↑2

Yes! Love these little critters

brad burnett

1y↑1

they can move super fast when they want to! i've come across several black widows and and orange orb weaver that looks like a widow but different colors. 1 hid inside of the hole in a power strip and it took me a long time to realize it because there was like no where for it to go but I couldn't find it for a while. the one that scares me is the brown one that is super aggressive and will chase a light.. they are really fast and scary running at you.

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