European cave spider, Meta menardi
European cave spider, Meta menardi (submitted by NaturePlus user Jimmy_Blue_Eyes)
With a body up to 1.5cm long, a leg span that can reach 5cm, the European cave spider is one of the largest spiders in the UK.
Although fairly common throughout Britain, this spider is rarely seen as it prefers total darkness. It lives in caves, undisturbed cellars, wells, and other chambers below ground.
Another species of cave spider, Meta bourneti, is very similar, but less common. The only way to tell them apart is under a powerful microscope.
