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
A 1st in the U.S., Unions Announce Deal to Build Offshore Wind Farms (Video)
Takeaways: The U.S., offshore wind developer Ørsted and North America’s Building and Trade Unions have agreed to a national project labor agreement for offshore...
An Enormous Hydrogen Battery-Hybrid Truck Can Help Cut Emissions
Takeaways: A mining company called Anglo American has unveiled the world's largest hydrogen-battery hybrid mind haul truck.
This new technology has the potential to...
6 New Tiny Frog Species Discovered in Mexico
Takeaways: Researchers have discovered 6 new species of miniscule frogs in Mexico.
When they are fully grown the frogs will measure about 18 millimeters...
Inflating Animals: 7 Incredible Creatures That Blow up Like Balloons
Takeaways: Some animals are able to inflate themselves as a way to project sounds, scare off predators or even attract a mate.
Siamangs will expand...
Unilever to Trial ‘Warmer’ Ice Cream Freezers to Slash CO2 and Energy Use
Takeaways: Unilever is testing ice cream freezers that will operate at slightly warmer temperatures.
They hope this could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by around...
Scientists Discover How to Stop Banana Peels from Browning
Takeaways: Researchers are looking to understand and prevent banana peels from browning to reduce the amount of the food waste.
They say that browning...