This is one of the black widow females I just moved into roomier quarters.
It does not have a red back. Our North American widows are a solid black, with a red hourglass on the underside of the abdomen.
This is one of the males, currently separated.
Seriously dimorphic, which is why he won’t be introduced until the female is fed again, and I can keep on eye on her shenanigans.
Is this what a very well-fed female looks like?
Or is that how chubby they look like all the time?
Or while pregnant/gravid?
Or is that a tic?
Shenanigans, cannibalism. Let’s call the whole thing off.