A new family of spiders named Trogloraptor for its fearsome claws has been discovered in a cave in southern Oregon.

The spider, which measures up to 3 inches across with its legs outstretched, was found by amateur cave explorers in a cave system outside Grants Pass in southern Oregon in the United States.

It is the first new family of spiders to be found in North America since the 1890s and scientists believe there could be many more similar species hidden in forests and caves in the country.

The new spider has been formally called Trogloraptor marchingtoni, but is commonly being called the cave robber spider.