European Cave Spider Meta menardi

There are two species of Cave Spiders in the UK - both among the country's largest (5cm legspan and 15mm head/body, smaller than the Fen Raft, Giant House and Cardinal) and similar-looking with similar habits (cave-dwelling, light-phobic as adults, orb web weavers). The European Cave Spider, Meta menardi, has stronger markings and has annulated legs, unlike the other, M. bourneti. It is native to caves, tunnels and mines across Eurasia to the Far East and from Scandinavia to North Africa. Thanks to Martin Starnes for these photos of two individuals from a Cornish fogou.