If the thought of seeing a spider gives you goosebumps, make sure you stay away from Orford Ness.
The natural reserve and former 20th century military testing site is “infested” with spiders, according to the British Arachnological Society.
Surveys carried out by the society show that the Suffolk site is home to a whopping 55 different species.
That includes 12 that are thought to be nationally rare or terrifying, and a species of jumping spider that has never been seen before on the Suffolk coast.
Previously, this jumping spider had only been found in six other locations in Britain, at sites hundreds of kilometers away on the south coast.
Fortunately, experts say that none of the spiders pose a threat to humans.
Matt Wilson, Nationwide Belief rural director for the Suffolk and Essex coast, said: “It is fantastic to have identified a new species of spider at Orford Ness, as well as confirming that the other rare species last recorded in the early 1990s 2000 can still be found here.” .
“While the photographs we have may make them look ferocious, many are so small that it is unlikely they were found by non-experts and their equipment.”
Surveys carried out by the society show that the Suffolk site is home to a whopping 55 different species. That includes 12 thought to be nationally rare or terrifying, and one species (pictured) of jumping spider that has never been seen before on the Suffolk coast.
If the thought of seeing a spider gives you goosebumps, make sure you stay away from Orford Ness. Pure reserve and former 20th century military testing site is “infested” with spiders, according to the British Arachnological Society
An obsolete Pseudeuophrys spider was found hiding in empty horn shells on pebbles – its favorite refuge
The British Arachnological Society carried out two studies at Orford Ness this year.
The fragile coastal habitat (Europe's largest shingle spit) consists of 2,000 acres of mudflats, salt marshes, brackish lagoons and delicate shingle ridges and valleys.
“Coastal mudflats, together with the challenging shingle environment, provide habitats for several different types of “specialist” species, and the presence of so many of them, as well as their large numbers, indicates a generally healthy habitat,” explained Mr. Wilson.
“Although shingle habitats are prone to damage due to commercial and leisure activities, we believe that the remote nature of Orford Ness, where disturbance is limited, may be helping these spider species to be successful.”
Among the rarest species is Gnaphosa lugubris.
While only 69 have been seen in the UK since records began in 1900, the survey indicates that several thousand could be living in Orford Ness.
Richard Gallon of the British Arachnological Society said: 'Orford Ness is one of the UK's main sites for specialist coastal spiders.
'The rainy weather at our first studio in May was not great.
Among the rarest species is Gnaphosa lugubris. While only 69 have been seen in the UK since records began in 1900, the survey indicates that several thousand could be living in Orford Ness.
The fragile coastal habitat (Europe's largest shingle spit) consists of 2,000 acres of mudflats, marshes, brackish lagoons and delicate shingle ridges and valleys.
“Jumping spiders specifically are sun worshipers and tend to hide in bad weather, so we didn't expect to find many of them.
“However, despite the weather, we soon located the nationally scarce obsolete Pseudeuophrys hidden in empty whelk shells on the pebbles – its favorite refuge.”
However, the highlight of the study was the discovery of Neon pictus, a jumping spider that had never before been seen on the Suffolk coast.
“The highlight of the investigation came towards the end of that day, when a small jumping spider was seen clinging to the underside of a rock; it was about Neon pictus,” Mr. Gallon added.
“We were delighted to find this species in Orford as it extends the known UK range of this nationally rare species to East Anglia.
“Other spider records made during the study are also important, confirming the continued presence of several rare and scarce species at the site.”
Overall, researchers hope the discoveries will highlight the rich diversity of wildlife that lives in Orford Ness.
Ben McCarthy, Head of Nature Conservation and Restoration Ecology at Nationwide Belief, concluded: 'It's brilliant to see the results of this study at one of our most extraordinary wildlife sites.
'Unlike most of our sites, Orford Ness has a relatively short history of biological recording, having been largely closed to the public until the 1990s when Nationwide Belief acquired it.
'Since then its importance continues to grow and especially for its fantastic invertebrate fauna, including these wonderful spiders.
“It is fantastic to see that the careful management of the site's habitats – from pebbles to mudflats, grasslands and wetlands – supports so many of these important, often maligned species.”
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