BBC Breakfast viewers were left horrified and squirming in their seats during a stomach-churning segment that showcased what could be the world's largest spider's web. The astonishing natural phenomenon was revealed on the morning of 21st November 2025 by presenters Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty.
A Warning to Viewers
Before the footage rolled, Charlie Stayt issued an urgent warning to the audience. "A little warning if you're not a fan of creepy crawlies, this is the time to look away," he cautioned. His co-presenter, Naga Munchetty, was visibly stunned when the massive web appeared on screen, initially gasping "Oh!" as it came into view.
The web was so immense that at first glance it resembled a long, blanket-like sheet of fabric rather than a structure created by arachnids. "If you're trying to work out what's going on, yes, it's a spider's web," Charlie clarified to viewers trying to comprehend the scale of the sight.
The Scale of the Discovery
Naga Munchetty provided context for the web's staggering size, explaining, "To give you an idea of how big it is, it spans the size of half a tennis court." The web is home to a colossal colony of over 100,000 spiders, specifically 69,000 of one species and 42,000 of another.
This enormous structure was discovered in a completely dark, sulfur-laden cave on the Greek/Albanian border. What makes this find particularly remarkable for scientists is the peaceful coexistence of the two spider species, which they previously did not believe would cohabit or work together.
Scientific Excitement and Viewer Horror
While Naga remarked on the unbelievably beautiful nature of the web, Charlie was quick to acknowledge that for many, the sight was pure nightmare fuel. This sentiment was echoed loudly on social media, with one horrified viewer writing, "Burn it. Burn it with fire.. Now! !" Another declared, "Holy s**t, just nuke it!!"
However, the scientific community is thrilled. Evolutionary biologist Lena Grinsted, a senior lecturer at the University of Portsmouth, described the discovery as "extremely exciting." She told The Associated Press, "When I saw this study, I was very excited because... group living is really rare in spiders." She likened their "extremely rare" accommodation to people living in a tower block.
According to Grinsted, the spiders' peaceful cohabitation defies normal behaviour. "So often if you have spiders in close vicinity, they will fight and end up eating each other," she said, suggesting that an abundance of food may have made them less aggressive. This unique colony challenges previous scientific understanding of spider behaviour.
