All About Spiders - Spider Facts & Information 

About Spiders 

Although not the most loved animal in the UK, Spiders are actually really important to our agriculture and we need them to stay! 

With over 50 thousand species in the world - found everywhere except Antarctica, and 660 of them calling the UK home, did you know that only a few species of Spiders will ever step foot inside of your home? (We know that many of you just breathed a big sigh of relief!) 

Spiders are air breathing arthropods and

 they have eight limbs and fangs (sometimes used for injecting venom) and a silk spinning organ, called a spinneret, from where the spiders extrude the silk they used t

o build webs. 

All different types of these creepy crawlies have different characteristics, they range in size and some can be quite dangerous (luckily none that live in the UK!) The Cardinal Spider, for example, has been recorded as being 12cm and is one of the larger Spiders in the UK, compared to the money spider that has been measured at 2mm and is one of our smallest spiders.

Even though many UK species of spiders have up to eight eyes, the vast majority don’t rely on their eyesight very much, as generally, it’s not that good. Instead, Spiders rely on vibrations, touch and taste to find their way around. 

How Long Do Spiders Live For 

In the UK, most species of Spiders live for around a year, with females sometimes living a little bit longer. If they live indoors and are safe from predators, they can also live for a few more years!

An Australian Trapdoor Spider lived to the ripe old age of 43…

Different Spider Species UK

Giant House Spider

In the Autumn, this rather scary looking Spider will begin making a presence in our homes. It’s actually one of the largest spiders found in Europe!

These Spiders are harmless, their large size and quick movements is the worst that they can do. This species prefers to live inside and is often found darting around the floor and getting stuck in the bathtub. 

Although the largest Spider may not be the most pleasant animal to find in your home, they are very beneficial and their webs are a great way to capture prey.

European Garden Spider

As the most common orb web spider, the Garden Spider can be found in gardens, grasslands and woodlands and its population is thriving!

Look out for the typical ‘spider web’ that looks like spirals with radial threads and you’ll be sure to find this species hanging around.

False Widow 

Looking similar to the dangerous species of spider, the Black Widow Spider, the False Widow was first recorded in the UK in the 1870s and it is believed it was brought over on a ship from its native home the Canary Islands. 

Although they may look dangerous, the False Widow Spider will do nothing more than harmlessly bite. This species' biting is rare anyway and they don’t usually bite unless provoked. 

Zebra Jumping Spider 

This small, dark Spider is a hard one to catch. The small Zebra spider is an excellent jumper and can leap up to 14 times their own body length! Impressive, right? 

Although it can be surprising to see these small Spiders jump, they are harmless creatures so there is no need to worry about this species leaving you with spider bites.

Unlike several species, the Zebra Jumping Spider does not catch prey and hide it in webs, instead it will pounce on unsuspecting prey.

The Diet of A Spider 

The majority of spider species are insectivores, preying on a wide range of insects such as flies, mosquitoes, beetles, moths, and caterpillars. Spiders have evolved an array of hunting strategies to capture their prey, including web building, ambushing, and actively stalking.

In addition to hunting insects, some spiders eat other spiders. This behaviour can occur for various reasons, including competition for resources or mating opportunities. Female spiders, in particular, may sometimes eat their male counterparts after mating.

Certain species of spiders, especially larger ones like tarantulas, have the ability to take down prey much larger than themselves. This can include small animals, birds, frogs, lizards, mice, and even snakes. These spiders typically use powerful venom or physical strength to subdue their larger prey before consuming them.

Some spiders have specialised diets based on their habitat or ecological niche. For example, fishing spiders are adept at hunting aquatic insects and small fish, while jumping spiders are known to feed on a variety of prey, including other spiders, insects, and even pollen.

Spider Breeding Season

In many regions, Spider mating activity tends to peak in the warmer months of spring and summer.

During the breeding season, male Spiders become more active in search of females for mating. They may exhibit behaviours such as wandering in search of potential mates, drumming or vibrating their abdomens to attract females, and performing courtship rituals to gain acceptance from the female. Male Spiders often take significant risks during this time, as approaching a female can sometimes result in being mistaken for prey and eaten.

Female Spiders may release pheromones to attract males or remain relatively stationary while awaiting potential suitors. Once mating occurs, females may produce egg sacs containing hundreds to thousands of eggs, depending on the species. These egg sacs or nests are often carefully guarded by the female until they hatch.

After mating, male Spiders may continue to search for additional mates, while females focus on caring for their eggs and ensuring the survival of their offspring. Some female Spiders may even consume the male after mating, providing additional nutrients for egg production. 

Five Facts About Spiders

1. Spiders are renowned for their ability to produce silk, a proteinaceous fibre that they use for various purposes such as building webs, creating egg sacs, and constructing shelters. Spiders have specialised glands called spinnerets that produce silk in liquid form, which solidifies upon exposure to air.

2. The majority of Spider species are venomous and use their venom to immobilise or kill their prey. While most spiders have venom that is harmless to humans, some species, such as black widows and brown recluse Spiders, possess venom that can cause significant harm if injected into humans.

3. Spiders are adept at dispersing over long distances through a behaviour known as ballooning. They release silk threads into the air and allow the wind to carry them to new locations. This enables Spiders to colonise new habitats and helps maintain genetic diversity within populations.

4. While many Spiders primarily prey on flying insects, their diet can be surprisingly diverse. Some species are known to consume other spiders, small vertebrates like frogs or lizards, and even plant matter. The dietary habits of Spiders vary widely depending on factors such as species, habitat, and availability of prey.

5. Mating in Spiders often involves intricate courtship rituals performed by males to attract females. These rituals can vary significantly between species and may include behaviours such as drumming, vibrating, or presenting gifts of prey to the female. In some species, males must carefully approach females to avoid being mistaken for prey and eaten.