Cave spiders?

[badgerwatcher]

I think I've got giant cave spiders living in a badger's tunnel under my tool shed and in my log pile. A section of concrete caved in on the path by the shed a couple of weeks ago, and inside the tunnel I could see a large white egg sac hanging by a thread from the roof. It was pure white, about the size of a maltesar, like a cotton wool ball.
When I was gathering logs from the log pile by the shed this morning, I picked up a log with a similar egg sac hanging from it. You could see the eggs inside it so it looks like a viable egg sac, not an old one, and very pure white.
I now have the dilemma of how to keep warm without destroying their habitat. I suppose if they're in the badger tunnels too, then I need not worry about moving the logs? I'll make a sub-pile of any logs with egg sacs, and cover it with tarpaulin. What do you think?

[No.9 Spider]

Sounds like Meta menardi from the egg-sac description alright. Spiders are very adaptable and resourceful and will make the most of habitats or move to more suitable habitats. M. menardi have a specific conditions and habitat as you'll be aware, so you may find them moving on. I think anything you do to accommodate them is admirable but I'd not worry too much, it's hard to replicate their required conditions as you need the right balance of dampness and airflow .



No.9 Spider

[badgerwatcher]

Oh, thanks, Spider. I won't feel too bad about using the logs then. I'll just watch out for egg sacs. I feel very privileged and am keen to see the spiders.

[badgerwatcher]

What conditions should I keep the egg sacs in to give the eggs the best chance of hatching, or will they not hatch now they've been disturbed?

[No.9 Spider]

Basically I'd say dark, dampish and well ventilated. You need to replicate the conditions as close as possible to that in which they were originally located.



No.9 Spider

[badgerwatcher]

Ok, thanks Spider. Maybe I'll put them in the shed.

[Jim Ford]

I've got the feeling that I've read that Cave Spiders spend the first part of their lives outside, and then go inside for the rest.

Jim

[No.9 Spider]

Are you sure your shed isn't too dry? I can't find any info on the early life stages of M. menardi but the egg-sacs are obviously located in the vicinity of the adults and in the same conditions. I've often found the egg-sacs covered in moisture. The spiderlings will do what they have to do when they emerge.



No.9 Spider

[Venger]

Although you do find them in great numbers (as adults), spiderlings will separate and disperse - but that's mainly due to food availability and survival instinct (though I'm not sure how araneophagic (spider eaters) the adults/juveniles are)

[badgerwatcher]

Thank you all. Maybe under the shed would be better as it stands on wooden feet if they don't mind damp and will be airier. I can't find anything apart from very basic details through googling them. I still haven't seen any of the spiders and very much want to as I've never seen one to my knowledge, in spite of trying very hard for several years as they do live in some caves and tunnels round here. Will anything eat the egg sacs if they're too exposed?