Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Newsbrief: Hampstead spider

Wednesday 05 October 1994 18:02 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A colony of rare spiders related to the bird-eating tarantula has been rediscovered on an isolated part of Hampstead Heath where it was last seen in 1892. The 1in-long tube web spider - atypus affinis - catches its prey by weaving a sealed, sock-shaped web, waiting for insects to crawl across, then biting them with its fangs and dragging them through it.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in