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Giant spiders the size of rats making a comeback in UK (www.independent.co.uk)
submitted 2 months ago by Emperor@feddit.uk to c/unitedkingdom@feddit.uk
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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.

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[-] Wahots@pawb.social 4 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

Christ, now I know why my ancestors moved to the US, haha.

[-] TheGrandNagus@lemmy.world 21 points 2 months ago

Moving from the UK to the US to escape scary animals is an... interesting choice lol

[-] GreatAlbatross@feddit.uk 6 points 2 months ago

At least they didn't get sent to Australia!

[-] tal@lemmy.today 4 points 2 months ago

The hedgehog can, when suitably agitated, get mighty feisty. Mighty feisty indeed.

[-] Warl0k3@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago

Have they seen the badgers we get over here??

[-] tobogganablaze@lemmus.org 8 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

I hope it wasn't to try to escape fishing spiders because the US has 9 from the same genus. And Dolomedes tenebrosus is even larger than our European ones.

[-] iAvicenna@lemmy.world 1 points 2 months ago

and how would that explain people moving to Australia

this post was submitted on 18 Aug 2024
142 points (96.1% liked)

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