Did you know that the UK is home to a tarantula? The purseweb spider.

And now we've officially entered spider season, you might catch a glimpse of one.

The purseweb spider is Britain’s only tarantula and a member of the family that contains these 'tropical giants'.

Although the word 'tarantula' still strikes fear into hearts, you needn't worry. 

What is the purseweb spider?

According to Adele Brand, a wildlife researcher at BBC's Countryfile, the purseweb is a stay-at-home spider.

It spends most of its life inside that silken tube, which has been compared to an old purse and a dirty sock—hence its name.

The whole structure can be up to 25cm long but only a small part protrudes above the soil surface.

Are purseweb spiders dangerous?

The Missouri Department of Conservation says: "Purseweb spiders have large, imposing chelicerae, and like nearly all other spiders, they possess venom to subdue their prey and can potentially bite a human if mishandled.

"But purseweb spider bites do not pose a danger to people, except for the rare cases of people who are highly sensitive to spider bites."

Recommended reading:

400-year-old sharks lurking in the depths of British waters

Great white sharks could migrate to UK waters by next year

40ft sharks may arrive in the UK as early as next month

Native wild animals in the UK

What do purseweb spiders look like?

While much smaller than a true tarantula, it has some of their characteristics and still looks distinctively ‘different’ from our other British spiders with its heavy-set legs and large ‘fangs’ (properly called chelicerae).

The spider operates these like parallel daggers, rather than the pincer-like movement of other British species.

 The body of a purseweb ranges from 1 to 3.8cm

What parts of the UK does the purseweb spider inhabit?

Sightings are possible in the North and South Downs, New Forest and other south-eastern sites, but a few are found as far north as Cumbria and south-western Scotland.