Thousands of giant spiders “the size of a human hand” are on the loose in the UK after a zoo decided to release them.
The bugs were specially bred in test tubes and their releasers are excited to report that it is mating season and there are more than 10,000 breeding females nationwide, whose legs are covered in tiny hairs.
A decade ago, Chester Zoo released thousands of raft spiders in conservation efforts after the species was found to be in terminal decline.
The zoo said: ‘Ten years ago we helped release thousands of giant spiders into the UK!
‘The Fen Raft spiders were bred right here at the zoo, and we are very happy to report that there are now over 10,000 breeding females and they just had the biggest mating season ever recorded!’
The legs of raft spiders are covered in small hairs and more than 10,000 breeding females were released across the UK a decade ago.
While they may look scary, the swamp raft spider is harmless and plays a vital role within healthy aquatic ecosystems, the zoo insists.
While they may look scary, the raft spider is harmless and plays a vital role within healthy aquatic ecosystems, the zoo insists.
Raft spiders are semi-aquatic spiders, named for their ability to run across the surface of the water to catch prey.
The bugs actively hunt their prey instead of building webs to catch their next meal.
Their legs are covered with small hairs that detect the slightest vibrations on the water surface and can pass through them to capture their prey.
Their diet includes other spiders, damselflies, dragonfly larvae and pond skaters, and they even catch fish and tadpoles.
However, 15 years ago, the species almost became extinct after the destruction of its wetland.
To save the species, the zoo set about raising hundreds of baby spiders in individual test tubes as part of a collaborative conservation rescue and breeding program in partnership with the RSPB.
A raft spider hides among the blackberries. About 15 years ago, the species almost became extinct after the destruction of its wetland.
A female raft spider on moss in the swamp. The RSPB estimates there are 10,000 breeding females across the UK – the ‘best year on record’
The RSPB estimates there are 10,000 breeding females across the UK, the “best year on record”.
Chester Zoo said: “Our team gently hand-fed tiny flies to each of the hundreds of baby spiders using tweezers, day after day, for weeks on end in our bio-secure breeding facility.”
“Eventually, the young spiders became strong enough to return to their natural habitat, which our partners worked to restore, and we released them by the hundreds!”
RSPB Mid Yare nature reserves site director Tim Strudwick said: “The Fen Raft Spider is one of the rarest invertebrates in the UK and we are proud of the role our reserves and teams have played in its recovery.”
‘These spiders play an important role in maintaining the rich aquatic diversity found in the grazing ditches of our reserves. The females are impressive in size, but also beautiful – it’s really special to see them!’