The semi-aquatic, aquatic arachnid hunts on water’s surface and can grow to as large as the palm of your hand. This is the UK’s biggest spider. The fen-raft spider is a good choice for those with arachnophobia, or fear of spiders. It prefers marshy areas and ferns to its eight-legged counterparts who hide under our sofas during autumn. The RSPB reports that the spiders have thrived on the land near Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk Broads. This is due to the success of a relocation program and ideal weather conditions. A fen raft spider. When hunting invertebrates, such as small fish and aquatic spiders, they perch on the water’s edge. (Image: RSPB. Credit to Helen Smith. The number of nursery webs is rapidly rising. From July through October, more than 480 were counted, as opposed to 184 for 2014,, which places the spider in a much more secure place, being a British species. Tim Strudwick is the Strumpshaw Fen nature reserves RSPB site manager. He said that the spiders have been thriving since their first release in 2012.”. “The excellent habitat conditions and the management of the grazing marshes has helped them thrive. They are able to sustain their nursery webs with the correct vegetation. The spiders also have the richest invertebrate prey they need. These arthropods are large, air-breathing and very powerful. The adult females measure slightly more than 20mm long, and have a length of 70mm with their legs. Adult fen-raft spiders can span as much as the hand of an adult human. The species was saved from extinction by being restored to its natural habitat. A groundbreaking translocation project between conservation partners, funders, including Natural England and the RSPB and the British Arachnological Society and the Suffolk and Sussex Wildlife Trusts, has already reduced the risk of the species’ extinction by establishing new fen raft web spider populations in the Broads. Their nursery webs, which look like crystals, are much easier to track than most invertebrates. This year, a greater percentage of webs was spotted at the locations where spiderlings were first released. At a Suffolk Wildlife Trust nature preserve, more than one thousand nursery plants have been collected. This is where the spiderlings (juvenile) were released for the first time five years ago. The 500 metre ditch that was their first release has been expanded to allow them to spread out and occupy over 3 kms of the reserves ditches. Ladybird spider. The ladybird spider was once thought to have disappeared in Britain. However, it has been rediscovered. The Broadland grazing fields are where they thrive Dr. Helen Smith (a contracted ecologist by Natural England) said that the large, beautiful spiders made the new locations their home. It is evident that this species is capable of thriving in the Broadland grasslands that conservation organizations have restored in recent years. The species has already taken a significant step towards colonizing the extensive ditch network in the area and is now able to thrive. Other rare spider species are also available at numerous RSPB reserve sites across Britain. Clubiona Genevensis is a rare and tiny species of spider that can be found on Ramsey Island in Pembrokeshire. It’s located 1km off the coast of St David’s Peninsula. The tiny, 3 mm-long island resident measures just 3 mm. The Ladybird spider (Eresus sandaliatus), was thought extinct, until their reintroduction at a Dorset site at the beginning of the 20th Century. The name Ladybird spiders is derived from their distinctive black and red markings. Video of the Fen Raft Spider in Suffolk Wildlife Trust Castle Marshes. This video shows the fen-raft spiders found at Castle marshes. They can sometimes appear to walk on water.
