Rare "Mini-Tarantula" Spider Spotted at National Trust Site

In a surprising discovery, a rare species of spider has been spotted at a National Trust conservation site in Kinver Edge, Staffordshire-Worcestershire. The sighting, which occurred just in time for Halloween, is believed to be the first of its kind in the area.

The elusive creature is the purseweb spider, sometimes referred to as Britain's "mini-tarantula". The eight-legged critter was found in the heathland around Kingsford Heath by a visitor named Matthew Rigby, who said he was "the most excited" he's ever been to find something on Kinver Edge.

Conservationists at the National Trust are thrilled by the discovery, as it indicates that their efforts to restore the diverse landscape and support local wildlife are proving successful. The purseweb spider is known to be a "scarce" species, with most sightings occurring in the south of England.

The sandy soils and open heathland of Kinver Edge provide an ideal habitat for the tunnel-building purseweb spider, which spends most of its life underground, ambushing unsuspecting insects that venture too close to its silk-lined burrow. National Trust rangers maintain the site by grazing livestock and controlling invasive plants, ensuring the preservation of this unique ecosystem.

The discovery of the purseweb spider is a significant event for the region, and conservationists are now hoping to restore an area of conifer plantation to further protect rare species on the site.