My son was doing a 4th grade report and could not find the answer to this question in his reading. We know lots of details, and even have a guess; but no real answer to 'why'?
2007-03-28 15:46:34 · 10 answers · asked by Jennifer L 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
Nature just put it there. However, here are some things to notice.
A) Certain colors (Red, Lime, Orange, Yellow) say, "Hey - I'm dangerous!" and that helps would-be predators know they are not going to get the meal easilly
B) Markings Attract their mates. It's a raw deal for the black widow's mate ... don't say guys never give their lives for the ladies :)
Hope that helps.
2007-03-28 15:55:23 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
Black Widow Hourglass
2016-09-29 04:55:47 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
Why do black widow spiders have a red hourglass shaped marking on their abdomen?
My son was doing a 4th grade report and could not find the answer to this question in his reading. We know lots of details, and even have a guess; but no real answer to 'why'?
2015-08-18 13:30:36 · answer #3 · answered by Riva 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The combination of black with red and/or yellow
is a very common warning signal to some
potential predators that there is something
unpleasant or dangerous about the organism
that has that color. Think of bumblebees,
yellowjackets, coral snakes, and many others.
This warning works, however only for predators
that can see it, and not even for all of them. I
have seen mud wasp nests filled with black
widow spiders exclusively.
The male black widow is not usually or even often eaten by the female, and the red and black
color can not be used to attract the female's
mate because his vision is too poor.
There are several (no one knows for sure how
many) different kinds of Latrodectus, the genus
black widows belong to. One of them in the
Middle East is white. In Florida there is one
called the red widow, which has the whole front
end and the legs bright orange-red. Even among the mostly black ones the red color is
present in various places. They all have the red
on the underside of the abdomen, but it is not
always an hour glass. Since the spider normally
hangs upside down in its web, having the red on
the underside guarantees that it is likely to be
seen by a predator. Some of them have red in
varying amounts on the upper side of the abdomen, also. Juveniles of both sexes are
marked conspicuously with red, black and white
on both upper and under sides.
2007-03-29 05:05:31 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
as a warning to other predators. Just like the rattlesnake's rattle. If you look at nature, in general, the most poison-est and dangerous creatures are brightly colored or have specific markings. The least dangerous or weakest have the ability to camouflage into their surroundings.
2007-03-28 15:56:03 · answer #5 · answered by DOUGLAS P 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As a wonderful adaptation to environment.
Adaptation belongs to the evolution facts.
Very slowly or very fast, everything will change, been modified in a way or another.
Yes its red color can be a warning.
2007-03-28 22:52:12 · answer #6 · answered by Eric D 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
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2015-08-04 08:31:20 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most likely the brightly coloured marking serves as a warning to predators.
2007-03-28 15:51:41 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It serves as a warning to predators that they are toxic and should not be eaten.
2007-03-28 15:50:51 · answer #9 · answered by jacobm_24 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Your all wrong I know why
2015-08-02 06:23:38 · answer #10 · answered by john 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋