Growing alarm for British citizens: an invasion of giant spiders, comparable in size to that of a rat, is taking place in the United Kingdom.
These enormous arachnids, known as Fen Raft Spiders, are effectively the largest spiders in Britain – what do we know about them?
Giant spider invasion in the UK: what is happening?
Although the proliferation of giant spiders may make arachnophobes shudder, behind this exponential growth lies one of the greatest success stories in the conservation of an endangered species.
Until a few years ago, the Fen Raft Spider was at risk of extinction in the UK. In 2010, the population of these spiders was at a minimum and the species was confined to just three sites, all located in the regions of Suffolk and Sussex. There were only a few individuals left, however, thanks to an extraordinary breeding program and the protection of their natural habitats, the population has started to recover, so much so that there is talk of a spider invasion. The number of breeding females has now risen to 3,750, spread across 12 different sites in the Norfolk region alone.
One of the factors that has helped the great recovery has been the improvement in the natural habitats of the Fen Raft Spiders, together with a particularly humid climate that has encouraged their growth and survival.
Tim Strudwick, Manager of the RSPB Mid Yare Nature Reserve, expressed great satisfaction with the results achieved, highlighting the important role played by the reserves and conservation teams in the process of the recovery of the species. According to Strudwick, these spiders are not only impressive in size, but also visually fascinating, especially the females, which can grow to impressive sizes.
Fen Raft Spiders and Biodiversity
Fen Raft Spiders are semi-aquatic invertebrates, recognisable by their white or cream-coloured stripes running down the sides of their abdomens. What makes these spiders truly unique is their ability to move on the surface of the water, an ability they use to hunt prey. Their diet is varied and includes other spiders, insects such as damselflies, dragonfly larvae, as well as fish and tadpoles. This ability to catch even aquatic prey demonstrates their adaptability and their vital role within the ecosystems of British wetland areas.
Despite their recent success, Fen Raft Spiders remain a vulnerable species. Every September, surveys and research are carried out in some of the nature reserves where they live, to monitor the population and assess the progress of their recovery.
Experts say Fen Raft Spiders are generally “shy” and prefer to live in marshy ditches away from busy areas. However, during the months of June to September, visitors are more likely to spot mature specimens, especially on the trails that cross the grassland of the reserve.
Jane Sears, an RSPB ecologist involved in the conservation project, highlighted the importance of continuing the efforts underway. The success of the initiative is not just a saving grace for the Fen Raft Spiders, but also for many other species that share the same habitat.
In short, for once it can be considered good news in the field of conservation, so sightings of these fascinating and imposing spiders should not be seen as a cause for panic, but rather an opportunity to celebrate the success of an important battle for the maintenance of biodiversity.
This article is originally published on tecnologia.libero.it
