Tarantula found in bunch of bananas in Donegal

The ISPCA has told how it welcomed a ‘most unusual guest’ to its Donegal Animal Rehabilitation Centre (ARC) recently following an urgent call for help from a member of the public.

ISPCA Care Assistant Leela Voss, experienced in handling exotic animals, assisted the member of the public, who discovered a small Tarantula hiding in some recently purchased fruit.

The Tarantula spider, later named Parker, was identified as a Mexican red rump, is about four months old and relatively harmless. Once this little guy matures to adulthood, it can be determined whether it is actually a male or female.

The stowaway was found hiding in a bunch of wrapped bananas that originated in Central America, and was recently purchased at a local supermarket in Donegal.

ISPCA Centre Manager Denise McCausland said: “Parker was carefully captured and transferred in a secure box before being admitted to the ISPCA ARC for a closer inspection.

“A veterinary examination confirmed that Parker was very dehydrated and lethargic after his travels but after some water and mini crickets to eat, he began to perk up very quickly.

“Parker was placed in an appropriate humid habitat in temperature and moisture levels suitable for his species and was closely monitored over a number of weeks. He has already grown in size and is continuously spinning elaborate webs all around his enclosure. His previous fuzz of hair is thickening well as he grows, also moulting in recent days.”

Parker will eventually be transferred to a new home at Alcorn’s Tropical World.