Up to 3,750 female fen raft spiders believed to be at 12 sites across the UK now

The UK’s largest breed of spiders, which can grow to the size of rats and hunts fish, are making a comeback in Britain.

From near-extinction in 2010 - when only a handful remained as their wetland homes were destroyed by humans - the number of fen raft spiders are now steadily increasing thanks to recent conservation efforts.

The spiders are set to have their best year on record at nature reserves ran by RSBP.

The conservation charity revealed that the most recent survey estimates the total number of female spiders to be up to 3,750 across 12 sites in Norfolk and Suffolk Broads alone.

The spider can spin a web as large as 25cm and can grow to the size of a man’s hand.

    • bizarroland@fedia.io
      2·
      3 months ago

      Up until recently I had cedar roofing and when I pulled it off there were so many spiders that got unhomed. I felt bad about that especially since I put a metal roof on and there’s nowhere for them to hide now.

      The spiders got their revenge though because after I unhomed all of the spiders that were protecting my house I started getting ants or the occasional bug here or there.

      Fortunately, the spiders have now moved under my decks and into the cedar siding on the house and they are once again protecting my house from unwanted pests.

      I love me some spiders, I don’t want to touch them I don’t want to deal with them but when I see them hanging out I’m like cool thanks for taking care of the place my friend.