Spiders are the most obvious group of animals - they share with us our houses and gardens. They also have some of the most fascinating colours, behaviour and biology. This book is designed to aid identification of these animals, without using any complicated keys or equipment. Each of the 450 species covered is illustrated in colour, with paintings of all the common colour variations and differences between the sexes, and described in detail in the text. The general features of each family are also described, with information on courtship, hunting and web-making behaviour. A key to spiders' webs is also included in the introduction. Each species has illustrations of its genitalia - to allow conclusive identification of the species.
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From the Back Cover
• 450 species comprehensively illustrated, with 288 colour paintings and over 1500 drawings
• The introduction provides general information on the structure and biology of spiders, together with illustrations of webs and egg sacs
• This is the ultimate, comprehensive field guide to spiders – a must for all arachnophiles everywhere and a vital introduction for all other naturalists.
'The colour plates are superb'
NEW SCIENTIST
'Packed full of information'
NATURE
'Much the best book on the subject at any price'
NATURAL WORLD BOOK OF THE YEAR
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
45 of 45 people found the following review helpful
By Square one
Format:Hardcover
I agree with other reviews of this that it is not a casual users book but if you want a concise but comprehensive guide to spiders in the UK with a detailed key and outstanding information on how to examine / study these species then this is the book you want. The information on needed equipment is outstanding and the species descriptions are bettered only by the superb drawings. Overall I was very impressed with this book and whilst it *isn't* a coffee table book on spiders it is a superb field guide just as it claims 'on the box'
35 of 36 people found the following review helpful
By Colin Brown
Format:Hardcover
This is a wonderful book that will inspire many to take a greater interest in the fascinating lives of spiders. Dr Roberts begins the book with helpful and useful guidance on how to trap and study spiders, as well as clear information about the biology of spiders. The colour plates are beautiful, and the detailed drawings of the identifying spider genitalia that litter the book are amazing. Each species is described and has comments about habitat and distribution, with additional information at family and genus level. A fellow reviewer does have a point that this may not be the ideal book if you want to have an attempt at identifying the more obvious spiders in your back garden - if this is the case you might be better with the Field Studies Council laminated card guide to house and garden spiders. However, anyone with more than a passing interest in spiders should buy this wonderful book, and let Dr Roberts inspire them to watch and try to identify the hundreds of spiders we have in the UK. And if it really inspires you, follow it up with tracking down Dick Jones "Country Life Guide to Spiders of Britain and Europe" and WS Bristowes "The World of Spiders". Both are long out of print but easy to get through the Abebooks site or similar.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Myself and my partner have been using this book to identify the spiders we photograph. So far it has provided clear, precise diagrams which we have used to identify hundreds of spiders.
The book also provides adequate information on every species to be able to learn about them.
It's small enough to carry around, and has been used by us time and time again.
Thumb's up!
The book also provides adequate information on every species to be able to learn about them.
It's small enough to carry around, and has been used by us time and time again.
Thumb's up!
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4.5 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Book Review
The book was recommended to me as I was looking for a guide to British spiders it meets all my needs. I would recommend it to others
Published 3 months ago by Mr A Goodall A goodall
5.0 out of 5 stars
great guide
Very good guide. Aimed at the more serious person,it gives all the information anyone will need in my opinion.
Phil
Phil
Published 3 months ago by Mr. PRJ Andrews
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Worthy purchase
Possibly the best guide to European spiders available. A valuable addition to my library and a fairly inexpensive purchase when one considers the great detail of Mr Roberts' work.
Published 3 months ago by anglerireland
2.0 out of 5 stars
Spider identification book
This book was rather a disappointment for what I needed it for - which was for my Forest School classes for primary school children. Read more
Published 5 months ago by chicken girl
5.0 out of 5 stars
spiderbook
I bought this book for my partner.
He is delighted with this comprehensive 'hobbyist' manual - everything he needs for scientific identification!
He is delighted with this comprehensive 'hobbyist' manual - everything he needs for scientific identification!
Published 19 months ago by clarec48
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Devil had a good day
The devil had a good day when he created the spiders. Personally, I spent most of my childhood running away from them. And from harvestmen! Read more
Published on 4 Dec 2010 by Ashtar Command
2.0 out of 5 stars
spider book
Bought this book thinking it would be a good picture guide for identifying spiders, the pictures are not brilliant and most of the book, about 80% seems to be about the anatomy of... Read more
Published on 15 Nov 2010 by macrophotographer84
5.0 out of 5 stars
Spiders
I am delighted with the book which arrived promptly and in perfect condition. I shall now be able to identify the spiders that I see.
Thanks
Thanks
Published on 14 Sep 2010 by bumble
4.0 out of 5 stars
Detailed and descriptive
There's no need to go on an African safari to dscover amazing wildlife - there's plenty going on in your front room or back garden. Read more
Published on 9 Aug 2010 by Stevie
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great for field identification of species
I bought this book around the time I began writing my Masters thesis on agricultural spiders of the UK. Read more
Published on 22 May 2010 by R. Sleaford
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