Zoo Celebrates Releasing Thousands of 'Giant Spiders' that Grow to Be the Size of a Human Hand
Mar. 15, 2025Fen raft spider.Photo:Alamy
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(792x478:794x480):format(webp)/chester-zoo-fen-raft-spiders-110424-3-667db344cde2484c8d7542c45deedb2e.jpg)
Alamy
The Chester Zoo is looking back on a monumental achievement.
The English zoo celebrated 10 years since they released thousands of giant fen raft spiders into the United Kingdom after the species almost became extinct, the Chester Zoo wrote onFacebook.
“Ten years ago, we helped release THOUSANDS of GIANT spiders back into the U.K.,” the zoo captioned its celebratory post. “The fen raft spiders were bred right here at the zoo, and we’re super happy to report there are now more than 10,000 breeding females… and they’ve just had the biggest mating season on record!”
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749x0:751x2):format(webp)/chester-zoo-fen-raft-spiders-110424-1-380aa25ab14e44ffb62cd2e791dd17fc.jpg)
Peter Byrne/PA Images via Getty
“Honestly, you’re so welcome,” the Chester Zoo playfully concluded.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(695x502:697x504):format(webp)/chester-zoo-fen-raft-spiders-110424-2-1d969e4cf512453e8fe1b022f703a4bc.jpg)
From there, the zoo cared for the young spiders until they were “strong enough to be returned to their natural habitat.”
The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!
RSPB site manager Tim Strudwick recently toldBBCabout the importance of the species. “These spiders have an important role in maintaining the rich aquatic diversity found in the grazing ditches on our reserves,” he said.
The Chester Zoo.Christopher Furlong/Getty
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(805x392:807x394):format(webp)/chester-zoo-110424-1-254138eb1d394c05ba31a7158fd26edd.jpg)
Christopher Furlong/Getty
The animal advocate also noted that the female spiders “are truly special to see.”
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
According toDiscover Wildlife, fen raft spiders tend to eat other spiders, damselflies, dragonfly larvae, and tadpoles. The spiders are brown and have white or cream stripes along their bodies. Despite their intimidating size, they are harmless to humans.
TheLondon Zoostates that the spiders have only been found in East Anglia, Sussex, and South Wales in England, with additional small populations in Central Europe.
TheInternational Union for Conservation of Naturecurrently considers the species “vulnerable” due to a decline in the spider’s habitat and adult population.
source: people.com
Other Posts
