Venomous false widow spider found in Nottingham
The false widow is thought to be the most venomous spider in the UK and has been found in Nottinghamshire at the Attenborough Nature Reserve.
Originally from the Canary Islands, the spider first appeared in 1879, having been accidentally introduced via shipments of bananas.
For many years it was restricted to the warmer southern counties however, it is believed that milder winters have enabled the population to expand.
The spider reached Leicestershire in 2014 and experts say it was only a matter of time before they appeared in Nottinghamshire.
The false widow has been referred to as the Daily Mail spider after reports in some newspapers of people becoming ill after being bitten.
But the Wildlife Trust is keen to allay people’s fears as although bites can be painful, being described as similar to a bee sting, they're not lethal.
Tim says it's also unlikely you would ever see one during the day, unless you are really looking for it.
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