WildBristol.uk - Discovering Wildlife in Bristol

Scattered throughout the South West of the UK but mainly coastal areas in the south-west of England (most concentrated in Bristol). It is increasing in frequency and moving North. Habitat includes: Often inside houses, sheltered locations outdoors such as in cracks in walls, under-cliffs. Other names include: False Button Spider, Cobweb Spider or Cob Web Spider, Comb-footed Spider, Tangle-web Spider, Gumfoot-web Spider, Dark Comb-footed Spider, Brown House Spider (Australia), False Widow. Body length: Females = 6 - 10.5 mm, Males = 4.1 - 10 mm. Lifespan: Females = Up to 6 years, Males = 1 - 1.5 years (dies shortly after mating). Egg sacks contain 40 - 100 eggs which usually hatch within a month of being laid. Seen all year round. Web type: Scaffold. Diet: Pill Woodlice and other small prey. I've once seen a juvenile get caught in a Cellar Spider's web but refused to give up. It fought back whilst the Cellar spider was wacking it with its legs. It retaliated by biting its legs, I presumed to inject venom but then realised it was trying to grab hold of its leg and pull it off (Whether this behaviour was instinct or learned I don't know but it was amazing to watch). In the end the Cellar Spider retreated with 2 less legs.