A spider I find regularly

[redfrag]

Hi Every one, I work on the coast of south west wales laying cables through ducts and find this spider regularly, when ever I pick one up from out of a man hole it trys to bit me, this is the first time I've managed to have a camera one me what I have one big enough to photograph.

If you all would be so kind as to identify it that would be grand, and was also wondering if its dangerous and if its native to the Uk.

Thanks

[MattPrince]

Hello RedFrag,

Welcome to WAB spider section.

That's a cave spider, there are two very similar species, this is probably meta menardi, though meta bournetti is a possibility, if so its a very good record for Wales.

They are native to the UK, and adults like to live in areas of total (or nearly total) darkness.

They have a very slow metabolism so are typically very docile and slow moving, and won't bite unless roughly handled (ahem!). Even then its meant to be a bit of a nip, their venom isn't effective against mammals, least of all full grown humans.

I put my money where my mouth is and get close to large numbers of them in a cavern not far from home. Yet to be bitten.

Here is one another WABber found recently

Also the wikipedia page on Meta Menardi.

and the distribution according to the Spider Recording Scheme of Meta menardi and Meta Bournetti.

Cheers,
Matt

[redfrag]

So its a cave spider, nice one, I was sort off holding its legs as I didn't fancy it going up my sleve as it huge. Not much of a spider fan my self, but they do look amazing.

Thnak you for the info, I will have to take some pics of the otherone when I find it as there is a jet black one with long front legs.

Thanks

[No.9 Spider]

Originally Posted by redfrag

So its a cave spider, nice one, I was sort off holding its legs as I didn't fancy it going up my sleve as it huge. Not much of a spider fan my self, but they do look amazing.

Thnak you for the info, I will have to take some pics of the otherone when I find it as there is a jet black one with long front legs.

Thanks

Check out Steatoda grossa as a possible for the long legged black one

[Wild-Woman]

A man-hole must be a good substitute for a cave. Dark, even temperature. If you're a Cave spider, you'd be more than happy with the accomodation.
It looks like an awesome arachnid, one I would be very happy to see.

[Meta menardi]

Originally Posted by Wild-Woman

A man-hole must be a good substitute for a cave. Dark, even temperature. If you're a Cave spider, you'd be more than happy with the accomodation.
It looks like an awesome arachnid, one I would be very happy to see.

We likes caves and manholes.
I agree that , when they are found in caves, they may give you a jolt when you first see them, but they would rather be somewhere else. I went into the fairly low cave at the back of Gregories Minster in N Yorks, turn on your back and turn the light on, they are all over the place, about 1 foot from your face, then they make their excuses and leave.

[Jim Ford]

Mega creepy!

I've seen them in old air raid shelters near here. I'm not keen on spiders, but wish them no harm and tip my hat at them and hope our paths don't cross!

It's interesting that they like damp places. The air raid shelters are quite extensive, but the spiders were only at one end where I guess it was damper.

Jim

[No.9 Spider]

They usually inhabit only as far as their meals will go, so generally not to far from entrances, but where no natural light falls.
In my mine exploration days with Derbyshire Caving Club there was very little in the way of life down in the depths of places, only to a certain point from entrances. Entrance passages were usually teeming with flying insects especially at the back end of the year, along with a majority of Meta merianae.
I've only ever found spider life a fair distance underground when they were inhabiting some rotten wood that was taken down from the surface, and so I assume they were living on other co-hosts in the same predicament.