‘For the love of God don’t open my parcel!’
One of the xenesthis immanis tarantulas that went missing near Bristol (Image: Shaun Webb)
Two large venomous tarantulas went missing near Bristol with their owner fearing they could literally fall into the wrong hands.
A parcel containing the two venemous spiders was sent to the wrong address in the outskirts of Bristol, causing some anxiety when the owner found his valuable tarantulas were missing.
Yesterday, Tuesday, July 8, a Facebook post in the afternoon warned that parcels from two properties had been mixed up, with the potential for an unlucky recipient to have a very nasty surprise in the shape of two Colombian lesser black tarantulas.
Shaun Webb, who lives near Warmley, posted a warning on Facebook to anyone who may have had his parcel delivered to them by mistake, saying: “If you do [have my parcel] for the love of God don’t open it.
“There are tarantulas inside.”
Shaun spoke to Bristol Live and said the parcel, which was quickly passed onto him by the recipient, contained the two missing tarantulas.
Shaun said: “Thankfully, the parcel wasn’t opened.
“I’m sure it would’ve been quite the shock [to the recipient] if they had opened it.
“I wasn’t very pleased, sending animals through the postal system is stressful enough! But mistakes happen and it was all sorted quickly.”
Shaun said he keeps tarantulas as pets and compared the spiders to keeping goldfish.
Shaun said: “I’ve kept tarantulas as pets for over 10 years now. They’re actually quite fascinating but, like goldfish, it’s more of a hands-off experience.”
Shaun said the two tarantulas have since been housed in their new homes.
The tarantulas, of the xenesthis immanis species, are also known as the Colombian lesser black tarantula, and is a large spider which can grow up to 22cm in length.
It is a venomous spider, but a bite is not considered dangerous to humans.
The Facebook post saw a wide range of comments, one person said: “New fear unlocked.”
Another person said: “Reminder for everyone this is why we don’t open other people’s mail.”