Thursday 26 August 2010

The Raft Spider

We have been to Arne in Dorset this week and I photographed this beastie for the first time. Partly obscured by a Pine Cone but it helps give a size to the spider.

This is the uk's largest spider with the female very much larger than the male who has more distinctive markings. They will eat large flies, damselflies and even very small fish!
The female is up to 22mm whilst the male 10-13mm.
The female lays up to 1,000 eggs in two or more greenish sacs, the spiderlings are brownish at first but get darker as they grow.

5 comments:

Chris said...

Wow excellent shot and congrats for your new banner, it is splendid.

Mary Howell Cromer said...

Oh, my, I do not think that I would ever want to meet up with one of these beasties, for I am not at all fond of any spider, and this spider looks like a giant among it's kind. Very nice pic though~

Mike Randall Bird Photography said...

Thanks Chris & Mary

Anonymous said...

A good place to visit Mike and a great new header.

Mike Randall Bird Photography said...

Thanks Roy