One of the UK’s rarest spiders, the fen raft spider, has made a surprising comeback after nearly facing extinction.
This large spider, which can grow as big as a rat and even walk on water, was once common in the wetlands of the Yare Valley in Norfolk. However, their numbers dwindled as these wetland habitats disappeared.
Thanks to a conservation project that began in 2010, led by the RSPB and other organisations, the fen raft spider is now thriving again in nature reserves along the River Yare. The project started with breeding spiders in captivity and releasing them into the wild, and now, there are an estimated 10,000 female spiders breeding in the area.
Despite their size, fen raft spiders are harmless to humans. They can be spotted best when young spiders hatch and the adult spiders create nurseries around water on sunny days. Even Tim Strudwick, the Yare Valley reserves manager who admits he’s afraid of spiders, is thrilled with their return, showing there’s no reason to be scared!
