Huntsman spider found clinging to side of Sevenoaks home

RSPCA called in to collect big spider found in Kent!

A Sevenoaks man got a fright when he spotted a huntsman spider clinging to the brick wall of his home.

Instead of the usual glass and paper manoeuvre to send the spider on its way, he called the RSPCA to the large, exotic arachnid.

RSPCA animal collection officer (ACO) Louis Horton went to the house in The Meadway on 15 May.

“I honestly expected to get there and find a big house spider or a toy spider or something silly but it was a huntsman!” ACO Horton explained.

“It wasn’t a giant huntsman but was big enough, it was about the size of the palm of my hand so it wasn’t the usual spider you’d expect to find in your house!

“It was clinging to the outside wall of the man’s house and he said it had barely moved since he first spotted it.

“I removed it, confined it in a box and took it to experts at Heathrow’s Animal Reception Centre to be quarantined.

“Huntsman spiders can give a nasty bite so they were lucky they didn’t get hurt.

“We would advise anyone who comes across any animal in distress to contact our 24-hour emergency line on 0300 1234 999.”

Huntsman spiders originate in parts of Australasia, Africa, Asia, the Mediterranean Basin, and the Americas, and the giant variety can grow to up to 15cm in leg span.

To help the RSPCA continue rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals in desperate need of care please visit: www.rspca.org.uk/give or text LOVE to 87023 to give £3 (Text costs £3 + one standard network rate message).