Cave Spider

Meta menardi

Rare & uncommon in some parts of Britain.

This is the only Spider in the country, that lives in the dark.

They are shiny satin black to reddish brown in colour, often having a different-coloured rear body which varies from black, brown or even olive green and are one of the largest Spiders found in the United Kingdom, adults reaching roughly 5 cm legspan and 15 mm body length.

However, the Giant House Spider, Cardinal Spider and the Raft Spider are larger.

They are neither endangered nor protected in the UK.

Egg sacs are tear-shaped white pendants (sometimes with a slightly yellow centre) usually hanging from the roof of the habitat by a silk thread

Egg sacs are usually laid in the vicinity of the cave entrance.