Meet the UK’s so-called "big three" venomous spiders: the false widow, the tube web spider, and the raft spider. Sounds terrifying, right? Relax. Their venom is about as scary as a bee sting for most people.
Let’s start with the false widow (Steatoda nobilis). It’s the most infamous. Why? Because it moved here from warmer places and loves living in your shed. It looks like the notorious black widow—but it’s a total poser.
Fun fact: False widows have been blamed for everything from swollen fingers to tabloid headlines. But studies show they rarely bite, and when they do, it’s usually because you squished them. Be nice to spiders, people.
The Tube Web Spider: Nature’s Drama Queen
Next up, the tube web spider (Segestria florentina). This one lives in walls and has iridescent green fangs. Yes, green fangs. It looks like a tiny, grumpy Christmas ornament.
Its bite can hurt a bit—like a wasp sting. But here’s the kicker: it’s shy. It only attacks if you stick your finger directly into its silken tube home. Don’t do that, and you’re fine.
Think of it as the spider equivalent of a grumpy cat. It hisses (well, it doesn’t actually hiss), but it mostly just wants to be left alone.
The Raft Spider: A Water-Loving Softie
Then there’s the raft spider (Dolomedes fimbriatus). This is the giant of the group—it can have a leg span the size of your palm. But guess what? It lives near marshes and loves water.
It literally walks on water to catch tadpoles and small fish. Imagine a spider with a tiny snorkel. Its venom? Only a mild irritant. Unless you’re a minnow, you’re safe.
14 spiders in the UK that can bite humans - and the ones that are
Quirky fact: This spider can hold its breath for half an hour. That’s longer than most of us can hold a conversation about spiders.
