Love Spiders

There are about 650 different species of spider in the UK ranging from the tiny money spider the Minute maro (Maro minutus) to the huge Cardinal spider (Tegenaria parietina) with a leg span of more than 10 centimetres.

The heaviest spider in Britain is probably the Four-spot orbweaver (Araneus quadratus) which weighs up to 2.5 grams!

Remember that spiders are amazing animals that play an important ecological and environmental role…without them there would be more flies in your house.

“Spiders are in many ways the most exciting creatures on earth. Right here in the UK we have spiders that’ll dive underwater to catch tadpoles and even small fish, spiders that tend their young in little creches made from silken tents, little wolves that carry their spiderlings around on their backs, even cute jumping spiders that’ll bounce around like they’re on pogo sticks – and will even show off to you if they think you’re a rival! What spiders are NOT is dangerous – I’d love a chance to convince every kid out there that spiders are wonderful before they grow up and inherit their parent’s fears!!!”
~ Steve Backshall