What are the biggest spiders found in the UK?
SPIDERS are known to sneak into British homes during the summer as to escape the heat from outside. 1. Cardinal spider  10 The cardinal spider is found in the south of England Credit: Getty  The cardinal spider is the largest spider in the UK. Otherwise known as Tegenaria parietina, some of these spiders have been recorded to have a leg span of 12cm. The name "cardinal" was appropriated from a legend that dates back to the 14th century when Cardinal Wolsey was scared by the spider at Hampton Court. The spider is fairly rare in Europe and is found more commonly in the south of England. Most live in buildings or walls and like all spiders live in houses. They can withstand very dry conditions and survive for months without sustenance. The cardinal spider is capable of biting, although bites have rarely been recorded. The nip is believed to be completely harmless and painless to humans. 10  2. Four spot spider  10 The Four spot spider is the heaviest spider found in the UK Credit: Getty  This is the UK's heaviest spider  The four spot spider can be seen in Britain in tall grass during the summer and autumn. They have four white spots on their back giving them their name. Adults reach maturity in late summer and autumn, when the mated females can become very large as their abdomens distended with eggs. 3. Giant house spider  10 The giant house spider is one of Britain's biggest spiders Credit: Getty - Contributor  This spider is the one you will see most common in the autumn. They can grow as big as 12cm in length. The giant house spider lives in sheds, attics, homes and out buildings. It can survive for several months without any food or water. They are seen all year round but mate in the autumn time. 4. Labyrinth spider  10 A labyrinth sits in the center of the web waiting for its prey Credit: Getty  This rather large spider is found in Wales and England from June to September  They live in hedgerows and in long grass. 5. Cellar spider  10 Female Cellar spider Credit: Alamy  Cellar spiders are also known as Daddy Longleg Spiders. Their spindly bodies can be up to 10mm in length. They can be found in homes all year round with males living up to two years and females can live up to three years. 1. Huntsman spiders  10 Huntsman spider on a bin lid Credit: Getty  Of the world's larger spiders, it is only huntsmen that can nimbly run up sheer vertical surfaces. Huntsman spiders are renowned for the enormous size, with males able to achieve a leg span of between 10 and 12 inches. They live in warm tropical climates across the world in places such as Australasia, Asia, Africa, the Americas, and the Mediterranean Basin. They are common in Australia but have been introduced accidentally to parts of the USA, Pakistan, India, China, and Japan. Adult Huntsman spiders do not build webs but forage for food. Their diet mainly consists of insects but they are also known to eat small reptiles such as skinks and gekkos. Huntsman spiders use venom to stun their prey and to aid in digestion. These huge spiders are members of the Sprassidae of which there are more than 1,000 species. 2. The Goliath birdeater  10 Goliath birdeater tarantula, one of the largest bird spiders in the world Credit: Alamy  This spider belongs to the tarantula family and is found in northern South America. It is the largest spider in the world by mass  175 g (6.2 oz)  and body length  up to 13 cm. However it is second to the giant huntsman spider by leg span. 3. Brazilian salmon pink bird-eating tarantula  10 Brazilian salmon pink bird-eating tarantula originating from northeastern Brazil, South America Credit: Alamy  They are thought to be the third largest species of tarantula in the world. The tarantulas are found in forest regions of north-eastern Brazil. When fully grown they can have a leg span of up to 10 inches. The breed is black in colour and once mature has pink-red hairs along their legs, chelicerae and abdomen. They are popular pets as they have large bodies, are considered to be docile and are easy to breed. The salmon pink bird-eater tends to attack by flicking hairs from their abdomen at a predator which cause pain, and can cause blindness if thrown into eyes. More on Spiders TICKING TIME BOMB Deadly tick warning as Brits urged to cover skin from blood-sucking pests SUPERHERO ICON 10 best Tom Holland movies - from The Impossible to Spider-Man BITE FRIGHT Spider becoming common in Britain CAN hospitalise people with its bite SEX-CRAZED CRITTERS 'Zombie' cicadas are 'getting high and horny' from fungus SPIDER FRIGHT We were crying in pain after repeatedly being savaged by false widow spiders  They also have a venomous bite that can cause pain, but it is a last resort defence by the species. The spiders dont spin webs to catch prey, instead they lie in wait on the floor of the Brazilian rainforest. They eating a mixture of insects, lizards, mice and occasionally small birds