Are There Black Widows in Wyoming?
Black widows are extremely rare in Wyoming. The western black widow might occasionally occur in southwestern Wyoming, but established populations do not exist here. Black widow encounters are vanishingly unlikely. This page explains where black widows live, what to do if you encounter one, and the harmless spiders you are more likely to find in Wyoming.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 22, 2026.
Northern Black Widow · Joseph McPhail CC BY
Western Black Widow · Rebecca Ray CC BY
Western Black Widow · Michael Eisen CC BY
- 1
- species recorded
- 39
- GBIF records
- September, August, July
- peak months
Yes, black widows are in Wyoming. Next you'll want:
Real sighting data, source iNaturalist
68 verified observations on iNaturalist of black widow have been recorded in Wyoming, most often in September, August, July.
When black widow are recorded in Wyoming
Black widows are extremely rare in Wyoming. The western black widow might occasionally occur in southwestern Wyoming, but established populations do not exist here. Black widow encounters are vanishingly unlikely. This page explains where black widows live, what to do if you encounter one, and the harmless spiders you are more likely to find in Wyoming.
Are they in Wyoming?
Black widows are not established in Wyoming. While the western black widow does live in parts of Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Southern California, Wyoming is too far north and cold for them to survive outside of a very temporary situation. A western black widow might occasionally arrive in southwestern Wyoming accidentally, perhaps in a shipment of produce or goods from warmer states, but any individual spider found in Wyoming would be a rare wanderer, not part of an established population. Wyoming's high elevation and long winters are incompatible with black widows' need for year-round warmth. The vast majority of Wyoming is far too cold for black widows to survive. If you found a spider you thought was a black widow in Wyoming, it was almost certainly a harmless Wyoming spider. You can read more aboutWyoming wildlifeto learn about the many native spiders that actually live here.
How dangerous is it?
If the extraordinarily unlikely event of a black widow bite occurred in Wyoming, the bite would be painful and potentially serious. Most people bitten by a black widow experience pain at the bite site within minutes, and muscle cramps may develop. Symptoms can include muscle aches, stiffness, sweating, and trembling. Fortunately, these symptoms respond well to medical care, and healthy adults rarely face serious complications. Children and older adults might have a harder time with a bite. The likelihood of encountering a black widow in Wyoming is so remote that bites are essentially unheard of in the state. If you are bitten by any spider, stay calm and seek medical attention. Medical professionals know how to handle spider bites safely. This is general information, not medical advice; if you are bitten, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222, or 911 if symptoms are severe.
How to recognize one
If a black widow spider somehow arrived in Wyoming, you would recognize it by its distinctive appearance. A black widow is small, usually less than half an inch long not counting the legs. The body is shiny and jet black, and females typically have a bright red or orange hourglass-shaped mark on the underside of the abdomen. Males are smaller and sometimes have red or white stripes on their backs instead. The spider's legs are long and thin. Black widows hide in dark, undisturbed places like woodpiles, sheds, under porches, in garages, and between rocks. They build messy, irregular webs in corners and crevices, not the neat webs some other spiders make. If you live in Wyoming and see a small black spider in your home or outbuilding, it is almost certainly a harmless ground spider or house spider, not a black widow. The distinctive hourglass marking is the key identifier that would set a black widow apart.
What to do if you are bitten or stung
If you are bitten by a spider in Wyoming, the most important thing to do is stay calm. Remove any rings or tight bracelets from the bitten area in case swelling occurs. Wash the bite with soap and water. Keep the bitten area still and elevated if possible. Apply a cool, damp cloth to the bite site. Do not try to catch or kill the spider, and do not try any home remedies like cutting or applying tourniquets. Some people apply a topical anesthetic or antihistamine, but your pharmacist or doctor can advise you on these choices. Seek medical care promptly, especially if you suspect it might be from a black widow, though this is extraordinarily unlikely in Wyoming. You can call your doctor, visit an urgent care clinic, or go to an emergency room. For severe symptoms, call 911 immediately. This is general information, not medical advice; if you are bitten, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222, or 911 if symptoms are severe.
How to prevent encounters
Preventing encounters with black widows in Wyoming is simple because they do not live here. Your regular yard and home maintenance will naturally keep spiders away. If you want to take extra precautions anyway, keep woodpiles neat and off the ground, away from your home. Store firewood in a covered area or shed. Wear gloves when handling stored items like wood, cardboard boxes, or old gardening equipment, especially before cold months when spiders seek shelter. Shake out items that have been stored in unheated outbuildings before using them. When hiking or camping in Wyoming, wear long sleeves and pants in warm months, and check yourself for ticks and other insects when you come back inside. Keep your garage and shed organized with items stored off the floor. For more information, check ourWyoming wildlife safety. When traveling to warmer southwestern states where black widows do occur, follow these same precautions. These simple steps protect you from many kinds of accidents and injuries.
Where in Wyoming and when
Black widows do not live in Wyoming, so there is no specific part of the state or time of year where you need to worry about them. However, if you travel to neighboring or southern states, understanding their range is helpful. The western black widow, Latrodectus hesperus, lives in Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, southern California, southern Utah, and parts of southern Texas. They prefer hot, dry regions and are most active in warm months from spring through fall. In winter, they become dormant in protected locations. Within their range in the Southwest, black widows are found in scrub, rocky areas, and around human buildings. If you travel to the Southwest, south, or West during warm months, you are more likely to encounter them. Learn more aboutwildlife in Wyomingto see the spiders and other creatures that actually live here. Wyoming's higher elevation and northern latitude make it unsuitable for black widows to survive.
Harmless lookalikes
If you find a black spider in Wyoming, it is almost certainly a harmless native species, not a black widow. Wyoming is home to many spider species, and most are beneficial. Common Wyoming spiders that might appear black or dark include cellar spiders and house spiders, both completely harmless. Cellar spiders have very long, thin legs and small bodies, and they often build webs in corners of basements, crawlspaces, and attics. Wolf spiders are common throughout Wyoming, both indoors and outdoors. These spiders are dark brown to black and are ground hunters, not web builders. They do not have the shiny, round body shape of a black widow. Ground spiders found in Wyoming gardens and grassy areas are also harmless and may be dark brown or black. Jumping spiders, small spiders with large forward-facing eyes, are common in Wyoming and often appear black but move in quick, jerky motions. None of these spiders have the distinctive hourglass marking on the underside of the abdomen that identifies a black widow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are black widows deadly? In the United States, deaths from black widow bites are extremely rare, especially with prompt medical care. Most people who are bitten recover without lasting effects. If someone does get bitten in Wyoming, which is extraordinarily unlikely, medical care is readily available. Are there black widows in Wyoming? Black widows are not established in Wyoming. While the western species might occasionally appear in southern parts of the state, they do not breed or form populations here, and bites in Wyoming are unheard of. What attracts black widows to a house? Black widows hide in dark, cluttered places like woodpiles, sheds, garages, and basements. They do not seek out people or come indoors deliberately, but might accidentally be brought inside in goods from warmer states. Keeping your home organized helps prevent all kinds of pests. What should I do if I see one? If you see any spider in Wyoming, stay calm. Leave it alone or gently relocate it outdoors. Check ourwildlife guides for Wyomingor our generalwildlife resourcesfor help identifying spiders.
Plan your trip
Best time to see black widow in Wyoming: September, August, July
See the month-by-month sighting calendar.
Plan your black widow sighting in Wyoming
39 verified black widow records have been logged in Wyoming. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in Wyoming
- Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Devils Tower National Monument · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Fossil Butte National Monument · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Grand Teton National Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Yellowstone National Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- California National Historic Trail · Find hotels
Frequently asked questions
Are they in Wyoming?+
Black widows are not established in Wyoming. While the western black widow does live in parts of Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Southern California, Wyoming is too far north and cold for them to survive outside of a very temporary situation. A western black widow might occasionally arrive in southwestern Wyoming accidentally, perhaps in a shipment of produce or goods from warmer states, but any individual spider found in Wyoming would be a rare wanderer, not part of an established population. Wyoming's high elevation and long winters are incompatible with black widows' need for year-round warmth. The vast majority of Wyoming is far too cold for black widows to survive. If you found a spider you thought was a black widow in Wyoming, it was almost certainly a harmless Wyoming spider. You can read more aboutWyoming wildlifeto learn about the many native spiders that actually live here.
How dangerous is it?+
If the extraordinarily unlikely event of a black widow bite occurred in Wyoming, the bite would be painful and potentially serious. Most people bitten by a black widow experience pain at the bite site within minutes, and muscle cramps may develop. Symptoms can include muscle aches, stiffness, sweating, and trembling. Fortunately, these symptoms respond well to medical care, and healthy adults rarely face serious complications. Children and older adults might have a harder time with a bite. The likelihood of encountering a black widow in Wyoming is so remote that bites are essentially unheard of in the state. If you are bitten by any spider, stay calm and seek medical attention. Medical professionals know how to handle spider bites safely. This is general information, not medical advice; if you are bitten, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222, or 911 if symptoms are severe.
More wildlife in Wyoming