‘Brazilian pink bird-eating tarantulas’ the size of dinner plates are on the loose

It’s the stuff of nightmares: giant bird-eating tarantulas the size of dinner plates could be on the loose in an English village.

The mere possibility of coming face to face with the huge venomous spiders has already caused two local animal-lovers to scream in terror.

And claims that the creatures from Brazil won’t survive long in the UK climate are unlikely to reassure arachnophobes as the tropical heatwave continues.

The RSPCA has revealed that pots containing the species of tarantula were run over by a vehicle in a car park in Derbyshire.

Three baby tarantulas were found to have survived the accident, but the driver of the car believes he saw two ‘larger spiders’ – possibly the parents – scuttling away.

Where they have gone no one knows. But locals are sure to be worried as the spiders can grow to have a leg span of 10in.

The RSPCA said the pots had different labels including one saying ‘Brazilian pink bird-eating spiders’. This would be a reference to the Brazilian Salmon Pink Birdeater, one of the largest tarantulas in the world. While its body is black, it takes its name from the pink hairs that grow along its legs and abdomen.

Abandoned: The pots containing babies and eggs

They are popular pets because they are considered to be ‘docile’. But if provoked they will unleash a venomous and very painful bite from their inch-long fangs. They can also shoot out hairs from their abdomen which are extremely irritating and will cause blindness if fired at the eyes.

A total of ten pots were abandoned in the car park at Birchwood Lane in Somercotes. Two were run over and the pair of adults may have taken the opportunity to escape. The others contained the babies and also eggs.

RSPCA inspector Kristy Ludlam said: ‘The woman caller who contacted us was understandably shaken when she realised the pots contained spiders as she is terrified of them.

It appears someone ran over two of the pots and the driver told the woman who called us he thought he saw two larger spiders.

‘No bodies were found so it is assumed they may have escaped.’ The inspector added: ‘It is likely the spiders were unwanted pets which they may have been breeding and then decided to dispose of for whatever reason.

‘The RSPCA would always ask people who are struggling to cope to let us know.’

But the welfare of the tarantulas wasn’t what staff at the nearby Birchwood Boarding Kennels and Cattery in Birchwood Lane were worried about. Owner Sarah Towndrow said: ‘Two of the workers ran around the kennels screaming when they heard the news. We are getting a vet out so they can take a good look and advise us on what we need to do. We’re also going to be searching the area to make sure they’re not here. People feel frightened and it makes the animals vulnerable.’ It is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act to release or allow to escape any non-native species into the wild. The baby spiders have been taken to Arnold and Carlton Veterinary Centre in Nottingham where they will be cared for until they are ready to be re-homed.

Anyone with information about the spiders should contact the RSPCA.