One of Britain’s largest spiders has been discovered on a Ministry of Defence training ground in Surrey having not been seen in the country for 21 years. The great fox-spider is a night-time hunter, known for its speed and agility, as well as its eight black eyes which give it wraparound vision. The critically endangered spider was thought to be extinct in Britain after last being spotted in 1999 in Dorset’s Morden Bog. The arachnid, two inches wide (5cm) including legs, had previously also been spotted at another Dorset site, and on Hankley Common in Surrey. These are the only three areas in Britain, all in the comparatively warmer south, where it has been recorded. Mike Waite from Surrey Wildlife Trust discovered the elusive spider after two years of trawling around after dark looking for it on the Surrey military site , which the MoD is not naming for security reasons. “As soon as my torch fell on it I knew what it was. I was elated. With coronavirus there have been lots of ups and downs this year, and I also turned 60, so it was a good celebration of that. It’s a gorgeous spider, if you’re into […]
Latest Articles
Ten rescued orangutans returned to the wild in Indonesia
Ten orangutans have been released back into the wild in the Indonesian part of Borneo island, with helicopters used to ferry the critically...
Join youth from across the world in this two-day challenge to create solutions to...
No coding experience needed! Solutions don't have to be app or website-based! About the Challenge: Climate change is among the most urgent issues of...
Water-powered shower head speaker made from recycled plastic wins honors at CES
Whether it’s podcasts, music or audiobooks, humans are streaming audio content now more than ever. Now, thanks to wireless tech company Ampere, the...
Electronic ears spy on poachers in a key Central American jaguar habitat
The international NGO Panthera has been using acoustical monitoring systems to support their anti-poaching patrols in Guatemala and Honduras since 2017. The acoustical...
Polar Bears, a Beacon of Hope
Polar Bears, a Beacon of Hope
Guest Post By Krista Wright, Executive Director at Polar Bears International It’s February 2021, polar bear moms and cubs are...
Renewable energy could render five of Australia’s remaining coal plants unviable by 2025
Up to five of Australia’s remaining 16 coal power plants could be financially unviable by 2025 due to a flood of cheap solar...