The Black Widow Spider is a small, glossy black spider known for its distinctive red hourglass marking on the underside of its abdomen. Found primarily in the United States, these spiders prefer dark, sheltered areas such as woodpiles, basements, and garages. They are most active at night and are known for their web-building skills, creating irregular, tangled webs to catch prey. While the bite of a Black Widow Spider can be dangerous to humans, it is rarely fatal. Symptoms may include pain, muscle cramps, and nausea. However, most bites can be treated effectively with medical attention, and these spiders generally avoid human contact.