Take a 'spider selfie' in the mirror, meet the 'spider in a bathtub' and come face-to-face with the world's arachnids in the first exhibit of its kind in Europe.
ZSL London Zoo is taking on the challenge of a lifetime in a bid to clear the name of one of the world’s most feared, misunderstood and maligned creatures, in a brand new exhibit being unveiled this May.
In With The Spiders will bring people face-to-face with amazing arachnids from around the world in a completely unique and immersive experience within the Zoo’s popular B.U.G.S exhibit, opening on Saturday May 23.
The only exhibit of its kind in Europe, zoo visitors will first meet the UK native species and regular house guest ‘spider in a bathtub’ before meeting exotic species such as the black widow, huntsman and giant bird-eating spiders.
Visitors will then discover the true meaning of ‘up close’ as they enter into the forest home of ZSL London Zoo’s uniquely sociable communal spiders, and stunning, golden orb spiders that spend their days posing proudly on huge one-metre wide webs.
With the opportunity to take home a special souvenir from the walk-through expedition, visitors can pose for a picture with the golden orb spiders in front of the 'spider selfie' mirror.
A sneak peek into the spider nursery will give visitors an insight into the varied breeding work carried out by keepers at ZSL London Zoo, and hopefully a glimpse of tiny spiderlings.
In With The Spiders will also be home to one of the UK’s most endangered animals, the fen raft spider. One of the biggest spiders in Britain, they have the remarkable ability to walk on water.
As part of the zoo’s worldwide conservation work, zookeepers worked with Natural England to rear tiny fen raft spiderlings into adults, which were then reintroduced back to the wild.
In With The Spiders ‘talking tarantula’ will help to dispel the myths surrounding spiders to reveal why they are in fact friend, not foe.
During May half term only, visitors can also take part in a series of exclusive spider events.
The 'In with the Spiders' experience is included in the entry ticket price for ZSL London Zoo.
