‘Extinct’ giant spider is found on army land

Great Fox-spider is rediscovered at MOD training camp after no sightings for 27 years

A GIANT spider thought to be extinct in the UK for 27 years has been rediscovered at an army training centre.

The Great Fox-spider is on a wildlife red list as “critically endangered” and was last spotted in Britain in 1993.

It was discovered by Mike Waite, an arachnid expert from Surrey Wildlife Trust, who had been hunting high and low on Ministry of Defence land with his torch. Conservationists say that such rare creatures are often found at MOD sites, which tend to be relatively undisturbed and unaffected by farming and development.

Mr Waite spent two years walking around the site at night hoping to find the nocturnal, ground-dwelling arachnid. Finally he discovered some unidentifiable immature spiderlings on MOD land managed by the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust.

Eventually he spotted several mature males and a female Great Fox-spider, which was 2.1in (55mm) in diameter including its hairy, spiny legs. The spider can grow to about 2.5in (64mm).

The delighted expert said: “Naturally, I am over the moon to have finally proved the continued existence of the Great Fox-spider in the UK.

“Although I’ve always held a latent interest in spiders, as a bona-fide arachnologist I am still a relative newbie, so am doubly pleased to have made this important contribution to our scientific knowledge.”

Mr Waite plans to continue his study into the spiders, seeking out their silklined burrows over winter.

The spiders are named because of how they pursue their prey, often chasing across sandy terrain, gravel and rocks before catching insects. The

Great Fox-spider then pounces, injecting venom into the unfortunate bugs. The spider then feasts on its catch with strong, fang-bearing appendages called chelicerae.

The species has excellent eyesight with wraparound vision provided by eight black eyes on its head, or cephalothorax. Two large eyes glint from the top of the head; two large eyes stare out the front; and four smaller eyes form a row just above the spider’s mouth.

Conservationists have praised the MOD for preserving land for important animals. Rob Free, the Weald reserves manager for Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, said: “The discovery of the Great Fox-spider shows how amazing the MOD heathland is, not just for spiders, but also for the sand lizard, smooth snake, Dartford warbler, nightjar, silver-studded blue butterfly and Marsh Clubmoss.”

ARC has managed key parts of the site since 1974, with particular emphasis on preventing the extinction of the endangered sand lizard.

The MOD site is recognised as being nationally important for its populations of rare bird, reptile and invertebrate species.

Rich Lowey, the Defence Infrastructure Organisation’s head of technical services, said: “Many people are unaware of the size and diversity of the estate and its tremendous wildlife richness. It has generally been protected from agricultural intensification and urban development, so it now provides a vital sanctuary for many of the country’s most rare and endangered species and habitats.

“We are proud to hear that the Great Fox-spider has survived because of the Mod’s commitment and enthusiasm to have positive and active conservation management on the estate and close integrated working with ARC, Surrey Wildlife Trust and MOD Conservation Groups.”

The spider has only ever been found at three sites, two in Dorset and the other in Surrey.