Giant spiders as big as your hand thriving in Britain

Numbers of fen raft spiders are soaring in Britain after the rare species was introduced to the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads.

The spiders, which can eat a small fish and grow up to 7cm long, is a formidable hunter while considered harmless to humans.

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According to the BBC, baby spiders were introduced on RSPB land at Strumpshaw Fen in 2012 and their number has increased over the years from 184 between July and October in 2014 to 480 in 2015.

Tim Strudwick, RSPB Site Manager at Strumpshaw Fen nature reserve, told the Daily Telegraph: "It is fantastic to see the spiders now thriving on the reserve, having been first released in 2012.

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"The spiders are doing so well due to the excellent condition of the habitat and our management of the grazing marshes is maintaining ideal conditions for them."

Dr Helen Smith, an ecologist contracted by Natural England under the Species Recovery Project, said the palm-sized spider is "clearly able to thrive in the Broadland grazing marshes" and the species has "taken a big step back from the brink".

The Suffolk Wildlife Trust says water is essential for the spider's breeding and hunting. The fen raft spider can hunt above and below water, taking prey much larger than itself, including large dragonfly larvae and even sticklebacks.

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