What Spiders Are in the UK?
WouterThe UK is home to over 600 species of spider. Most of these live in the outdoors, though some are happy to make their home in buildings or gardens. They are small and elusive creatures, and not all of them are dangerous. You can use their colouring, location and genitalia to help you identify them.
Britain’s largest spider, the cardinal, is named for the legend of Cardinal Wolsey at Hampton Court. It’s reddish brown in colour and can grow to 14cm long. Despite its large size, the spider prefers to live in dry conditions, such as in buildings.
British spiders belong to the Lycosidae family. They spin sheet-like webs and lay eggs in web capsules. They also catch air bubbles to breathe. Some of the spiders are very venomous.
The false widow spider is a common UK resident. It is the most venomous spider in the country, and is most often confused with the black widow. The false widow’s bite causes pain and swelling, and can be accompanied by nausea. However, the actual bite is rarely fatal.
The Cross Spider is a new breed in the UK. They look like a wasp, but have a round body and a pale cross of spots on their abdomen. These spiders only bite when they feel threatened, and their venom isn’t deadly. The Cross Spider sting can cause inflammation for two to three days.
The huntsman spider is another common UK resident. It is found in the south of the country.
