A giant poisonous spider arrived in Britain as a "hare" along with olives (2 photos + 1 video)

This spider is known for its large size - females reach 34 mm, and males are slightly smaller. It is the only European arachnid protected by international treaties, in particular the Berne Convention. Previously, its range was limited to the Iberian Peninsula and northern Africa.





According to the British Arachnological Society, the macrophel is considered aggressive and can inflict a painful bite, although its venom is not fatal to humans. The spider lives in a funnel-shaped web, spends most of its time in its nest and goes hunting at night.



Experts note that males become mature after eight molts and a year and a half of life, and die after reproduction. Females reach maturity after nine molts and lay up to 100 eggs.

The uniqueness of the macrophel also lies in its "enormous appetite", because it is capable of destroying large insects and even small vertebrates.