Mutant Spiders Are Here!
This is seriously bad news for those house spider haters out there, but according to new research the results show that spiders are getting bigger.
Over the last few years studies have shown that the average spider in the UK has actually grown in size by around 2%, with most of these growth spurts taking place in the female side of the species.
Andrew Davies, aged 23, is a graduate of Birmingham University and studied spider growth for almost two years as part of his degree. He states:
“We haven’t managed to pinpoint the precise cause for the increasing size of the spiders but we have a good idea whats behind it. Due to Global warming the UK summertime is gradually increasing in temperature and length, giving the spiders longer to feed and breed.”
“Instead of having skeletons on the inside, spiders have them on the outside and these are called exoskeletons. They are made up of layers of cuticle, which the spider then sheds at various times within its life and is then replaced with larger, thinker and stronger exoskeletons.”
“But because of the longer and warmer summers the UK now has, just one of the side effects of global warming, the spiders are shedding there exoskeletons more frequently. Mostly noticeable in the female spiders is the fact that the new exoskeletons replacing the old ones are around 10% thicker then usual. As a result the larger females were able to produce a high number of offspring.”
We have yet to see how this faster, stronger and more numourus version of the average house spider is going to effect the UKs ecosystem, it certianly sounds like bad news for the average house fly.
Did You Enjoy This Post?
Please consider giving us your vote
-
Delicious
-
Twitter
-
Digg
-
Stumble Upon
Andrew Nichol says:
spiders are certainley getting bigger i had one in my garage last week and i swear it was the size of my foot
Jun. 4 at 6:41 amAnthony Dosanjh says:
Really good article, hate spiders and actually saw one while reading this going across the floor lol. I can believe they are stronger though, I hit this one four times and it was still moving!
Jun. 4 at 9:26 amSanjay says:
This is a good, original story, I can’t believe this guy studied spider growth for 2 years though!
Jun. 4 at 1:49 pmRebekah Douglas says:
It’s so true, we have a huge one that lives in the downstairs toilet, we call him pedron.
Jun. 4 at 3:46 pmKim Gammon says:
He had to do it as part of his degree, but he has 3 pet spiders too. He’s a huge geek but comes in handy at pub quiz’s :)
Jun. 4 at 9:24 pmAlina says:
I absolutely hate spiders … not what I want to hear about them !! but good work though kim !
Jun. 4 at 10:13 pm