Shocked supermarket staff got more than they bargained for when they discovered a deadly spider hiding in a bunch of bananas.
The huge Panama Wandering Spider – one of the most dangerous spiders in the world – was spotted inside a fruit box in Orpington, Greater London, after travelling more than 5,000 miles from home.
Night-shift workers were left terrified when the creepy crawly appeared while they were packing orders for delivery at around 2 am on 22 October.
The venomous spider, also known as a Phoneutria depilate, had stowed away among the bananas before being discovered and reported to the National Centre for Reptile Welfare (NCRW) in Tonbridge, Kent.
When staff from the non-profit arrived, the eight-legged stowaway was already secured inside a safety box.
NCRW director Chris Newman said it was the first true wandering spider he’d seen in his 30-year career.
“Wandering spiders of the genus Phoneutria are regarded as one of the most dangerous spiders in the world,” he told Need To Know.
“They are not likely to be life-threatening for the average healthy human; however, the bite would be excruciatingly painful and would require hospitalisation.
“They are a greater threat to children and the elderly, or those with heart conditions.
“In more than 30 years of dealing with stowaway spiders, this is the very first wandering spider I have seen that has actually been found in bananas.
“Sobering, though it could have gone to someone’s home.”
A spokesperson for the NCRW added, “Today we took our 300th call, at 2 am, from a supermarket that had found this beautiful spider in some bananas.
“Normally, we would assume it was a Cupiennius spp, ‘a false wandering spider’ which are harmless and most commonly found in bananas; however, today’s call was a little different.
“A member of staff collected the spider and on return to the centre, and some better photos, we now believe the spider is a Panama Wandering Spider ‘Phoneutria depilate’.”
The spider, which experts say poses a “greater threat” to children and the elderly, is being safely housed by the NCRW.
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