A tarantula the size of a hand has been rescued after it was found by a dog walker in a park bin in Giltbrook.
A white knee tarantula was cold and wet when RSPCA inspector Teresa Potter rescued the spider last Tuesday (April 24) after it was found on Acorn Avenue in Giltbrook.
She took the spider to a specialist vet who identified it as a breed of tarantula from Brazil which is commonly kept as a pet.
Inspector Potter said: “It’s rare we get reports of tarantulas in public so as I was making my way there, I was sure it would be a plastic toy or maybe just a piece of litter!
“There was also a broken tank in the bin, so whoever dumped this spider just carelessly tossed the spider and their home in this bin without any thought for their welfare.”
Inspector Potter also said the spider has been taken on and will now be looked after properly.
She said: “We are concerned that someone abandoned a spider in a public bin like this.
“These tarantulas live in a warm and humid environment in the wild and need the same provided in captivity, to meet their needs and keep them healthy.
“It is likely the spider was an unwanted pet which someone decided to dispose of for whatever reason.
“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.”
The tarantula can grow up to eight inches long and while they are capable of biting, their main form of defence is by flicking hairs from their abdomen, which can cause irritation to eyes and skin or to the respiratory tract if inhaled.
The woman who found the tarantula, who did not wished to be named, said: “I had taken my dogs onto the field when I saw that there was a tank in the bin.
“I was curious so I had a closer look, expecting it to be a mouse, and I was very surprised to see a tarantula in there – the spider was clinging onto the side of the bin bag.
“I went home to my husband and asked him to come and look – he couldn’t believe it either – it’s not something you expect to find in a public bin.”
The tank hadn’t been in the bin when the woman walked her dogs at the same spot that morning.
