Palm-sized spiders set to make splash

The Fen Raft spiderlings, one of the most endangered species in the UK, have been reared under carefully monitored conditions at Hull aquarium The Deep and it is now hoped they will establish new populations after being released at a nature reserve near Norwich.

The spiders, which were received as 2mm-sized babies, were fostered in test tubes and provided with a “nutritious” diet of fruit flies.

And they could soon be making their presence known - the Fen Raft is also one of the UK’s biggest spiders, growing to the size of the palm of a hand, and they can also walk on water.

The semi-aquatic spiders need a year-round supply of unpolluted water to survive.

The species was first discovered at Redgrave and Lopham Fens national nature reserve in 1956 and they are now one of only two UK spiders to be fully protected by law.

Katy Duke, curator at The Deep, said: “The spiderling exodus is a great achievement for us. It was fantastic to be involved in such an important conservation project and help make a difference in the field.

“Fen Raft spider populations are struggling in the wild, largely due to the deterioration of their wetland habitats. This translocation project means that new spider populations can be set up in suitable areas which will help to boost the number of these rare spiders.”