Tarantula Found in Leeds
A large bird-eating spider has been found roaming free in a Leeds woodland.
Lehane Walker told Roundhay Today how a couple had found the massive spider on a footpath in woodland near her home.
"This couple had been walking in the woods and said they found the tarantula on the footpath. Mine was the nearest house. I got a plastic tub, which had some mini chocolate rolls in it, and between us we managed to coax the spider in using a stick.
"My oldest son Zygi, who's six, is in a bug club at school so he couldn't wait to get home to have a look. He wanted to take him into class. I'm not a big fan of spiders but my other son Max, four, has a real insect obsession so he loved having the spider in the house.
"What I can't understand is where it's from and how it has survived."
Judith Layzell from Leeds City Council's Tropical World in Roundhay Park identified the spider as a venomous Chile Rose Tarantula.
"If you get bitten it's a bit like a wasp sting – you may have an adverse reaction to it.
"You probably wouldn't die but your body might react violently." She said.
"I've got bitten by a tarantula and my arm became so swollen I had to got to hospital to get a shot of anti-venom.
"Their natural habitat is South America, although a lot are now kept as pets. They can survive outside if it's warm like it has been.
"Having said that you don't find them running around the British countryside, it's very rare. One must assume it has escaped. It would be interesting to know how he got there."
Tyrannosaurus Pets in Kirkstall are now looking after the spider.
The Morning Star: September 2009
