Venomous tarantulas on the loose in UK

GIANT bird-eating tarantulas the size of dinner plates could be on the loose after their babies were found abandoned in a UK car park.
The Brazilian spiders are one of the largest species of tarantulas in the world, with adults having a leg span of up to 25cm, and have fangs that inject poisonous venom into their victims.



The collection of baby arachnids were found last week after a car knocked over some pots at the side of a car park at a stable in Derbyshire.
The RSPCA believe two adult tarantulas may have escaped as they were not in the two larger pots found with the three babies.
The animal charity are warning people not to approach or try to handle the spiders, thought to be salmon pink bird-eating tarantulas.
RSPCA inspector Kristy Ludlam, who attended the scene, said: “The woman caller who contacted us was understandably shaken when she realised the pots contained spiders as she is terrified of them.

BRAZILIAN SALMON PINK BIRD-EATING TARANTULA

• They are thought to be the third largest species of tarantula in the world.

• The tarantulas are found in forest regions of northeastern Brazil.

• When fully grown they can have a leg span of up to 25cm.

• The breed is black in colour and once mature has pink-red hairs along their legs, pincers and abdomen.

• They are popular pets as they have large bodies, are considered to be docile and are easy to breed.

• The salmon pink bird-eater tends to attack by flicking hairs from their abdomen at a predator which cause pain, and can cause blindness if thrown into eyes.

• They also have a venomous bite that can cause pain, but it is a last resort defence by the species.

• The spiders don’t spin webs to catch prey, instead they lie in wait on the floor of the Brazilian rainforest.

• They eat a mixture of insects, lizards, mice and occasionally small birds.