Latrodectus variolus - Northern Black Widow
Sand Springs, OK
I turned over a log and what to my wondering eyes did a appear but a poisonous spider but I had little to fear. This is a female black widow spider, and it is in fact poisonous - but aside from hurting and giving you mild flu-like symptoms for a day, it does no lasting harm and won't be a danger unless your very young or very old. That being said, these spiders don't bite unless seriously provoked andyou're not likely to find them anywhere that should casuse you problems. These prefer under boards and rocks, old shed, things like that. Be nice to them, there is no reason to kill these spiders.
