The UK is swarming with thousands of the size of . Britain’s biggest spider said to be the size of a man’s hand is back after being on the verge of extinction just 14 years ago. Numbers of the Fen Raft Spider have surged following a successful campaign by conservationists.
The spider - which spins webs as big as pizzas (25cm) - was close to being wiped out in the UK in 2010. But thanks to a successful breeding campaign numbers are up to a whopping 3,750 breeding females at 12 sites in Norfolk alone. Tim Strudwick of the RSPB said: “The Fen Raft Spider is one of the UK’s rarest invertebrates and we are proud of the role our reserves and teams have played in its recovery.
“These spiders have an important role in maintaining the rich aquatic diversity found in the grazing ditches on our reserves. “The females are impressive in size, but also beautiful – they are truly special to see.” It is thought efforts to improve the creature’s habitat and damp weather this year have given the species a boost.
Fen raft spiders have distinctive white or cream stripes running along the side of the abdomen. The spider is semi-aquatic and can run across the water’s surface to capture their prey. Their diet includes other spiders, damselflies, dragonfly larvae and pond skaters, and they will even catch fish and tadpoles.
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