A giant tarantula which as large as the hand of a human
being has been discovered in one of the streets in Leicester.
The creature also known as the salmon pink Brazilian
bird-eating spider, can grow to a leg-span of 10 inches, was to be abandoned in
a plastic box in Narborough Road.
Commenting on about the creature, the RSPCA man who found
the it, thought to be the third-largest species of tarantula, was someone who
has a phobia for spiders and had been "understandably shaken" by the
discovery.
According to Steve Smith, animal collection officer, presumed
the giant spider was to be an unwanted pet which was abandoned by its owner who
may have struggled to look after it.
He said: "We would recommend that anyone interested in
keeping a tarantula as a pet thoroughly research the particular species' needs
carefully first before deciding to get one, so they know what is involved and
how long it is likely to be for."
Mr Smith said that despite its size, the spider was
"not aggressive at all". As a specialist is now taking care of the
spider.
Salmon pink Brazilian bird-eating spiders, or lasiodora
parahybana, have pink hairs growing on their legs and are found in the tropical
rain forests of eastern Brazil.
Despite its name, the species only rarely eats birds,
preferring mostly insects it captures on the forest floor as well as lizards,
frogs and mice.
Animal charities have warned of rising numbers of exotic
pets being abandoned in the UK, often after they are given as presents.
It is not the first time a Brazilian spider has turned up
unexpectedly. In 2015, a Bristol man received one in the post, meant for the previous
owners of his house.
In 2013, a man had a tarantula confiscated after he tried to
take it into a court in Kent.
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