A shocking discovery at a school in Cambridgeshire has left people vowing to double-check their supermarket shopping. A giant huntsman spider was found hiding in a box of bananas, causing alarm among staff.
The School Discovery
The fearsome brown arachnid was uncovered by shocked staff members at a school in Ramsey, near Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire. The incident occurred when the staff were handling a box of bananas that had been delivered to the school.
The bananas were traced back to their origin, having travelled approximately 3,200 miles from the Ivory Coast in West Africa. This long journey brought an unexpected stowaway to the quiet English town.
Identifying the Eight-Legged Visitor
Expert analysis suggests the spider is a Barylestis spp, which is a member of the Huntsman spider family. Chris Newman, director of the National Centre for Reptile Welfare, confirmed the identification, stating, “It's most likely a huntsman, likely a Barylestis spp. The bananas originated from the Ivory Coast.”
Huntsman spiders are renowned for their incredible speed and aggressive hunting tactics towards their prey. However, they pose a low threat to humans, as their venom is considered mild and not medically significant.
Public Reaction and Lasting Fear
The news has triggered a wave of anxiety and humour on social media, with many people expressing their newfound fear of fruit.
Local resident Andy Pierce commented, “This is why I'm always carefully checking bunches of bananas before popping them in my basket.” This sentiment was echoed by Nicki Holloway, who said, “I must look like a crazy person checking all my fruit when shopping. This is why I will continue to do it.”
Others had a more extreme reaction. Catherine Fanning declared, “I’m never eating bananas again,” while Hazel Ross simply stated, “Kill, kill, kill. I’m seriously scared.” The discovery has clearly reinforced the habits of vigilant shoppers and created a memorable scare for the local community.
