After decades of camping and scouting in Northern MI, I am well versed in the identification of the handful of dangerous creatures in our woods. And also the scarceness of most of them. in fact, I have only observed black widows in captivity and on film.
Me, snug in my sleeping bag and bug netting, just on the verge of slumber: "There's no black widow in your tent, buddy. Go back to sleep."
My son, obviously anxious: "Can you kill it anyway? <His tentmate> is allergic to spiders."
Groggy, I get up, climb out of my bed netting/sleeping bag, put on my crocs, and stumble to their tent. My son and his tentmate are as far away from the doorway as they can be without being outside. They are shining flashlights directly above the door, right over my head.
I look up and see the largest female black widow I have ever seen, TV, captivity, or otherwise... sitting about 14 inches above my head.
I freeze and begin plotting my next move. Despite being at scout camp, I immediately decide to utilize a white lie forthe betterment of the two terrified scouts sitting wideeyed before me.
"Aw, that's not a black widow. It's too big."
Tentmate: "Can you kill it anyway? I am allergic."
Me: "Yeah, that is probably a good idea. You guys were right to come get me. Better safe than sorry."
The next morning I told them the truth, congratulating them on their spider identification, and explaining that I wanted them to be able to get some sleep. I, on the other hand....
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