An interesting and unusual find on my rounds! This is a woodlouse spider (Dysdera crocata), which is instantly recognisable with its red head, thorax and legs combined with a pale oblong body. The other identifying feature of the woodlouse spider are the large, immediately visible fangs that project directly forward from the head. This is definitely one of the scariest looking of all British spiders!

I know what you are thinking and the answer is yes, they do bite! On the rare occasions that people have been bitten by Dysdera the degree of pain has been described as ranging from a nettle sting to a bee sting. The venom is not thought to be particularly significant to humans but itchiness and marks have been reported.