• News
  • Life
  • TV & Film
  • Beauty
  • Style
  • Home
  • News
    • Celebrity
    • Entertainment
    • Politics
    • Royal Family
  • Life
    • Animals
    • Food & Drink
    • Women's Health
    • Mental Health
    • Sex & Relationships
    • Travel
    • Real Life
  • TV & Film
    • True Crime
    • Documentaries
    • Netflix
    • BBC
    • ITV
    • Tyla Recommends
  • Beauty
    • Hair
    • Make-up
    • Skincare
  • Style
    • Home
    • Fashion
    • Shopping
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
Submit Your Content
‘Rat-sized’ spiders that ‘live off fish’ to return to UK, experts confirm

Home> News

Published 18:39 20 Aug 2024 GMT+1

‘Rat-sized’ spiders that ‘live off fish’ to return to UK, experts confirm

They are the largest of the UK’s 660 native species of spider

Rhiannon Ingle

Rhiannon Ingle

Anyone with arachnophobia won't be too happy to find out that 'rat-sized' spiders that 'live off fish' will be returning to the UK, having made a comeback from the brink of extinction.

The giant creepy-crawlies nearly went extinct back in 2010 when only a handful remained after humans sadly destroyed their wetland habitats.

But the fen raft spiders are now making a comeback, according to the RSPB.

The spiders are making a comeback. (X/@SWT_NE_Reserves)
The spiders are making a comeback. (X/@SWT_NE_Reserves)

Advert

In fact, recent conservation efforts ran by the RSPB have meant that the spiders are set to have their best year on record.

The Norfolk and Suffolk Broads nature reserves alone have an estimated total of 3,750 female spiders.

And as for the wider UK?

Well, the charity's most recent survey estimates the total number of breeding females now reaches a whopping 10,000.

The spiders in question are distinguishable by their brown or black body with white or cream stripes along the sides.

Fen raft spiders are semi-aquatic. (Saccobent / Getty Images)
Fen raft spiders are semi-aquatic. (Saccobent / Getty Images)

They are also the largest of the UK’s 660 native species of spider with a span of up to nearly three inches - around 8cm.

Additionally, fen raft spiders can impressively spin a web as

The spider can spin a web as large as up to 30cm and can grow to the size of a man's hand.

Their diet includes damselflies, dragonfly larvae and even fish and tadpoles - as well as other spiders.

But don't worry too much as the semi-aquatic critters aren't at all venomous and are also 'fairly shy'.


Tim Strudwick, the reserves manager for the RSPB in the mid-Yare valley in Norfolk said via MailOnline: "We just don’t know how far they are going to spread and that’s what’s exciting, seeing which bits of habitat they take over next."

He added: "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."

RSPB ecologist, Jane Sears, who was also involved in the fen raft spider conservation, added: "The RSPB has played an important role in the reintroduction of these spiders and means we must continue to restore, manage and protect the wetland habitats where the fen raft spider thrives to ensure the future of not just this species, but many others too."

Featured Image Credit: X/@SWT_NE_Reserves

Topics: UK News, News, Animals

Rhiannon Ingle
Rhiannon Ingle

Rhiannon Ingle is a Senior Journalist at Tyla, specialising in TV, film, travel, and culture. A graduate of the University of Manchester with a degree in English Literature, she honed her editorial skills as the Lifestyle Editor of The Mancunian, the UK’s largest student newspaper. With a keen eye for storytelling, Rhiannon brings fresh perspectives to her writing, blending critical insight with an engaging style. Her work captures the intersection of entertainment and real-world experiences.

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

7 hours ago
8 hours ago
10 hours ago
12 hours ago
  • Anadolu / Contributor / via Getty
    7 hours ago

    Millions to receive pay out after Siri was caught ‘snooping’ - here’s how to know if you qualify

    Apple's Siri assistant has led to a class action lawsuit

    News
  • Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
    8 hours ago

    Donald Trump says shrinking US dollar is 'great' - here’s how it could affect you

    The USD has dropped in value for over 10 per cent over the last 12 months

    News
  • Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
    10 hours ago

    Marco Rubio explains why he hides from Trump whilst napping on Air Force One

    The US Secretary of State revealed that the US President 'prowls the hallways to see who is awake'

    News
  • Wikimedia Commons
    12 hours ago

    Baba Vanga's chilling World War Three prediction for 2026

    Let's hope she's wrong

    News
  • Giant rat found in family home and experts have issued eerie warning over it
  • Restaurant forced to apologise after customer discovers dead rat in her salad
  • Prince Harry leaves heartwarming gift at late Queen's tomb following return to UK
  • Puppy ‘saved owner’s life’ after chewing his toe ‘to the bone’ while he slept