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Special delivery: Bristol man finds tarantula in parcel Special delivery: Bristol man finds tarantula in parcel
(about 1 hour later)
Dealing with a previous householder’s post when you move into a new home is always a bit of a pain. But it was a little more trying for a Bristol man when he opened a parcel and found a large, and potentially aggressive tarantula, nestling inside. Dealing with a previous householder’s post when you move into a new home is always a bit of a pain. But it was a little more trying for a Bristol man when he opened a parcel and found a large tarantula nestling inside.
The householder received the Brazilian salmon pink birdeater - the third largest spider in the world – in a “return to sender” package intended for the previous owner of his property.The householder received the Brazilian salmon pink birdeater - the third largest spider in the world – in a “return to sender” package intended for the previous owner of his property.
Dates on the parcel showed it had been unopened for about three weeks and the tissue bedding in the tarantula’s container had gone mouldy. Dates on the parcel showed it had been unopened for about three weeks and the tissue bedding in the tarantula’s container had gone mouldy. The man took the spider to Highcroft veterinary group in Whitchurch, Bristol, where it was examined and found it to be unwell.
The man took the spider to Highcroft veterinary group in Whitchurch, Bristol, where it was examined and found it to be unwell.
Vets confirmed the spider as a Brazilian salmon pink birdeater, which can grow to have a leg span of 11in (28cm) and are known to be “semi-aggressive”.Vets confirmed the spider as a Brazilian salmon pink birdeater, which can grow to have a leg span of 11in (28cm) and are known to be “semi-aggressive”.
The species, with 1in (2.5cm) fangs, are capable of “kicking” hairs from their abdomen as a defence mechanism, which can be a skin irritant and even cause blindness.The species, with 1in (2.5cm) fangs, are capable of “kicking” hairs from their abdomen as a defence mechanism, which can be a skin irritant and even cause blindness.
Sonya Miles, a vet at Highcroft, said: “When I examined the tarantula it was clear it was very unwell, as it was showing signs of dehydration and had lost a lot of hair from the abdomen.Sonya Miles, a vet at Highcroft, said: “When I examined the tarantula it was clear it was very unwell, as it was showing signs of dehydration and had lost a lot of hair from the abdomen.
“Mould can affect tarantulas very negatively so, with the exposure to the fungus and being stressed after circulating in the post for so long, I’m surprised it even survived.“Mould can affect tarantulas very negatively so, with the exposure to the fungus and being stressed after circulating in the post for so long, I’m surprised it even survived.
“It is common to send insects and some living creatures via the post, as long as they are clearly labelled in accordance with the postal service being used. “It is common to send insects and some living creatures via the post, as long as they are clearly labelled in accordance with the postal service being used. Although the package did adhere to all the regulations, it was just an unlucky situation that resulted in it not being collected by its intended owners.”
“Although the package did adhere to all the regulations, it was just an unlucky situation that resulted in it not being collected by its intended owners.” Miles took the spider, which she has named Sid, to recuperate at her rescue centre, North Somerset Reptile Rescue. She hopes it will find a new home once it has calmed down and can be handled.
Miles took the spider, which she has named Sid, to recuperate at her rescue centre, North Somerset Reptile Rescue.
She hopes it will find a new home once it has calmed down and can be handled.