Giant spider horrifies gardeners: Is it the largest in Europe?

Giant spider horrifies gardeners: Is it the largest in Europe?

In an unexpected twist, a nursery owner in West Sussex, England, discovered the “biggest spider in Europe” when a shipment of olives arrived from Córdoba, Spain. The poisonous Andalusian funnel-web spider (Macrothele calpeiana), an impressive specimen of the species, became visibly active while the man was working with his forklift. The spider's discovery caused excitement, especially after the image of the arachnid surprise was shared on Facebook. oe24.at reported.

The Andalusian funnel-web spider, known for its aggressive nature, is common in the southern part of Europe, particularly in Spain and Portugal. This species of spider is recognized as one of the largest among European spiders and its bites can cause circulatory problems in humans, making it a serious representative among European spiders. The species is touched by the fact that it is the only species of spider that is protected in Europe as its habitat is increasingly dwindling. How Wikipedia reports, the species is restricted to the areas of the Iberian Peninsula and certain parts of Italy and usually lives in shady forests.

The physical appearance of the females is particularly striking, as they can reach a body length of up to 34.7 millimeters, while the males are smaller. These spiders' behavior is one of natural curiosity, and they build elaborate funnel webs to capture prey. Despite the painful bite they can deliver when threatened, they are less dangerous compared to other species such as the Australian Sydney funnel-web spider. The discovery of the spider in England raises questions about its spread and ability to adapt to new areas, yet the threat of habitat loss remains.