
Spider season: BBC researcher confirms tarantulas are in UK
The purseweb spider is Britain's only tarantula and a member of the family that contains these 'tropical giants'.
Although the word 'tarantula' still strikes fear into hearts, you needn't worry.
What is the purseweb spider?
According to Adele Brand, a wildlife researcher at BBC's Countryfile, the purseweb is a stay-at-home spider.
It spends most of its life inside that silken tube, which has been compared to an old purse and a dirty sock—hence its name.
The whole structure can be up to 25cm long but only a small part protrudes above the soil surface.
Are purseweb spiders dangerous?
The Missouri Department of Conservation says: "Purseweb spiders have large, imposing chelicerae, and like nearly all other spiders, they possess venom to subdue their prey and can potentially bite a human if mishandled.
"But purseweb spider bites do not pose a danger to people, except for the rare cases of people who are highly sensitive to spider bites."
Recommended reading:
400-year-old sharks lurking in the depths of British waters
Great white sharks could migrate to UK waters by next year
40ft sharks may arrive in the UK as early as next month
Native wild animals in the UK
What do purseweb spiders look like?
While much smaller than a true tarantula, it has some of their characteristics and still looks distinctively 'different' from our other British spiders with its heavy-set legs and large 'fangs' (properly called chelicerae).
The spider operates these like parallel daggers, rather than the pincer-like movement of other British species.
The body of a purseweb ranges from 1 to 3.8cm
What parts of the UK does the purseweb spider inhabit?
Sightings are possible in the North and South Downs, New Forest and other south-eastern sites, but a few are found as far north as Cumbria and south-western Scotland.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Edinburgh Reporter
4 hours ago
- Edinburgh Reporter
What Makes an Heirloom: Defining Timeless Objects Across Generations
Today, nearly 70% of families across the United Kingdom (UK) say heirloom pieces help preserve family identity and connection across generations. But, you may ask, what truly transforms an object into a legacy, those awe-inspiring 'objets d'art' kept by families? Whether they're stone-carved rings, a wartime letter, or a handwritten recipe from an Edinburgh tenement kitchen—what makes it truly timelessly valuable? Here's a little look at how heirlooms are born, loved, and kept alive from one loving family member to their next of kin. Image Source: Pexels Heartbeat of Heritage: Why History Matters What makes an heirloom far more than a passing fancy? It's valued because it carries your story—etched by origins, experiences, and lineage that only your family can share. In Edinburgh neighborhoods, a nan's handwritten shortbread recipe is a bridge from past to present, grounding you in shared tastes, seasonal scents, and familial rituals or routines. Some researches show that about 78% of people find meaning in inherited items that shape their sense of identity and family pride. These objects 'silently' communicate values, triumphs, and traditions—testimony that you belong to something lasting and worth remembering. Built to Last: Craftsmanship & Emotional Bonds What makes an object durable and deeply cherished? It's quality and emotional connection. Heirloom jewellery, particularly, unlike trendy accessories, is made to endure decades—sometimes centuries—of wear, memory, and meaningful value. The same goes for lab-grown wedding rings, which are becoming the new classics in many modern British households. In fact, reports point out that today's women are increasingly choosing lab-grown stones for their ethical roots and enduring design—factors that can transform a ring into a future heirloom (a legacy to the next young bride of the family). When you choose or inherit pieces like these—crafted to resist wear and tear, or fading, and fracture—you're preserving more than the beauty that your eyes value; you're preserving a message of durability, love, and mindful legacy. That's what makes these pieces not only timeless but deeply familial. In the same spirit, Simply Beach curates swimwear that's made to last—pieces that become part of family holidays, seaside traditions, and sun-soaked memories. INLAYED LEGACY: The Magic of Ruby Rings Many favor ruby rings as an heirloom in the making. Apart from the fact that they score nine on the Mohs hardness scale (nearly as tough as diamonds), they're found ideal for everyday wear and long-term family identity. That kind of resilience can coat your story with something more solid to live in—something worthy of passing on–symbolism, rarity, and design that outlives any trend. For centuries, rubies have been worn by the British royalty—Queen Elizabeth II herself had ruby pieces set in platinum in her collection. Their deep red signifies love, courage, and protection across cultures, not just the monarchy. Also, the ruby ring market in the UK has grown steadily post-2023, driven by demand for ethical, handcrafted jewellery with generational appeal. This is why, if you're searching for a modern heirloom that feels both intimate and timeless, the Diamondere ruby rings collection can offer you precisely that blend—customisable, durable, and steeped in meaning. They can forge your family memories as you pass them on to your heirs. Layered Meaning: Stories, Context & Custom What makes an item meaningful, precious, and worth passing? It's more than age—it's the tales woven into it that craft a timeless appeal. Research in family narrative theory reveals that heirlooms function as communication tools, especially for families, transmitting values and beliefs through generations of heirs. It's deepening the object's place in your family's story, as it: Contextualize It records when, where, and why the piece entered your family tradition. Even a humble recipe gains weight when you note, 'My Nana first baked this on Christmas Eve of 1952.' Customize You can add personal notes, like engraving dates or family initials on lockets. These connections can mark it as your family's heirloom pieces. Safeguard They're best preserved both the item and its context—consider tailored boxes with story notes, digital archives with photos, or memory‑sharing sessions, like every family holiday. This can help double your heirloom's power and value. Ritual & Renewal: Keeping the Legacy Alive What keeps your heirloom remarkable? Often it's the ritual, so incorporate it into your family's meaningful moments, like: Ceremonial chances: Use the item during life events—a christening, graduation, and other milestones Shared stewardship: Invite younger family members to help care for it and learn its story Renewal: Let each generation update it—reset stones, refresh settings, or repurpose the piece to match new aesthetic sensibilities, maintaining its modern relevance while honoring its roots. Final Thoughts: Your Heirloom Equation What truly defines a timeless treasure, you ask? It's quality multiplied by your story multiplied by your constant ritual that can equal a timeless piece–an heirloom. Every piece may tell of your family beginnings–and yours can start now to last well beyond your lifetime. Like this: Like Related


Telegraph
5 hours ago
- Telegraph
The barbecue taste test: Which supermarket does it best?
For all the recent heatwaves, British barbecues are often still seize-the-moment affairs. There's no time to marinade meats or concoct elaborate sauces if you are snatching the opportunity to wheel out the charcoal on a warm weekday evening or unexpectedly sunny Saturday. So, where you buy your barbecue-ready food really matters. The local butcher, if you have one, is a great choice, but for many of us a dash to the supermarket is more realistic. Which one caters for your feast best? I tested the barbecue ranges of nine stores – cooking and tasting products across five categories: beef burgers, spicy chicken, glazed pork, vegan burgers and minted lamb kebabs – to discover which supermarket is king of the grill. Skip to: How I cooked the products Beef burgers Vegan burgers Sweet barbecue pork Minted lamb kebabs Spicy-smoky chicken The big barbecue taste test verdict How I cooked the products My usual rule when cooking food for taste tests is to follow the instructions on the packet. However, many manufacturers state that their products should be cooked fully first in the oven or under the grill, then transferred to the barbecue to finish. That's not barbecuing in my book. I'm assuming that these instructions are an effort to make sure food is fully cooked through, but the twice-cooked approach means overcooking is likely, while just five minutes on the barbecue is not enough time to get a delectable smoky crust. For these products I tried them as the manufacturer recommended, but additionally, cooked solely on the barbecue. They all tasted best cooked on the barbecue only, and that is what the scores are based on.


Daily Mirror
6 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Gardeners urged to put rice on bird tables this summer for this crucial reason
The next few months are vital for young birds as they leave the nest and take their first flights, but gardeners can help by providing food - and it needn't cost a fortune Gardeners across the UK are being encouraged to sprinkle cooked rice on their bird tables this summer to support struggling birds during the crucial fledgling season. The upcoming months are a pivotal period for British birds, as many species witness their offspring leaving the nest and venturing into the world as fledglings. With numerous bird species facing threats from habitat loss, a decline in food sources like insects, climate change, and pollution, garden enthusiasts are urged to lend a hand by providing sustenance, which will also benefit the young birds. Thankfully, aiding our feathered friends doesn't require splashing out on expensive bird seeds from garden centres. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) has suggested that items such as pastry, cooked rice (emphasising it must be cooked, never raw), and breadcrumbs can be offered to birds occasionally, in addition to fruits like apples, pears, and various seeds and nuts. The RSPB recommended: "When buying bird food, try to get a good mix of seed, peanuts, suet and mealworms." They also added that "fruit, especially bruised apples and pears, will be popular with thrushes and Blackbirds." Moreover, the RSPB advised that "household scraps like pastry, cooked rice and breadcrumbs should only be offered in small amounts occasionally." It's crucial to cook the rice first, as uncooked rice can cause digestive issues in birds, which is one of the reasons throwing rice at weddings fell out of popularity. So always use cooked rice, never raw. Gardeners also need to clean your bird table regularly and clean up any uneaten food, the Express reported. Whatever you leave out, be sure to clear away any uneaten food at the end of the day, and clean any bird table regularly. This is because the RSPB recently pulled flat bird tables from sale while it investigates the possible spread of disease it says could be caused by flat tables, due to food being left out exposed to the elements. It recommends cleaning bird tables, as well as nesting boxes, regularly and removing any uneaten food. By simply doing this simple task, gardeners will ensure birds receive enough nutrients to survive in the upcoming months and colder seasons as they leave their nests. It doesn't cost a fortune, nor does it require any extra time or effort on top of other gardening tasks - just make sure that it remains clean at all times.