Did you know that the UK is home to a tarantula? The purseweb spider. And now we've officially entered spider season, you might catch a glimpse of one. The purseweb spider is Britain’s only tarantula and a member of the family that contains these 'tropical giants'.
Although the word 'tarantula' still strikes fear into hearts, you needn't worry. Nationally scarce purseweb #spider (Atypus affinis) in the #NewForest pic.twitter.
com/mLGR66jIu8 — Zoe (@zoecaals) March 18, 2019 What is the purseweb spider? According to Adele Brand, a wildlife researcher at BBC's Countryfile, the purseweb is a stay-at-home spider. It spends most of its life inside that silken tube, which has been compared to an old purse and a dirty sock—hence its name. The whole structure can be up to 25cm long but only a small part protrudes above the soil surface.
Are purseweb spiders dangerous? The Missouri Department of Conservation says: "Purseweb spiders have large, imposing chelicerae, and like nearly all other spiders, they possess venom to subdue their prey and can potentially bite a human if mishandled. "But purseweb spider bites do not pose a danger to people, except for the rare cases of people who are highly sensitive to spider bites." Recommended reading: 400-year-old sharks lurking in the depths of British waters Great white sharks could migrate to UK waters by next year 40ft sharks may arrive in the UK as early as next month Native wild animals in the UK What do purseweb spiders look like? Whi.