Myth: When black widow spiders mate, the female always kills and eats the male.

 
Fact: This myth (which is not totally false, but very far from true) is believed even by scientists, and can be found in many ecology textbooks! It's depressing; the authors are obviously copying each other and have never actually watched black widows mate in the field.  

To understand the facts about black widow mating, you must first understand that there are many different species worldwide in the black-widow group (the genus Latrodectus), and three different black widow species in the United States alone, two in the east and one in the west. These species do not all behave alike. Moreover, in the past most observations of mating took place in laboratory cages, where males could not escape.  

The only known Latrodectus species in which mate cannibalism in nature is the rule, not the exception, are in the Southern Hemisphere. Of U.S. species, mate cannibalism occurs sometimes in Latrodectus mactans, the eastern (southern) black widow, but most males survive to mate another day. In the other two black species, including the western black widow L. hesperus (only species west of Kansas), mate cannibalism has never been observed in the wild!

-- Modified on 10/17/2013 4:18:33 AM

It's that time of year again to put a sparkle in a child's eye! T4T Special!

Now through December 23rd get $75 off any appointment when you bring a toy to donate to toys for tots!  

There are few things that sadden a family's heart more than to have nothing under the tree for the little ones christmas morning & the glow on a child's face is priceless!  

Together let's make a difference in a family's life this holiday season! Acceptable gifts can include toys for all ages, electronics, DVDs, Cds, clothing, gift cards. The list is endless.