A tarantula as big as a human hand has been found in a street in Leicester.

The salmon pink Brazilian bird-eating spider, which can grow to a leg-span of 10 inches, was discovered abandoned in a plastic box in Narborough Road.

The RSPCA said the man who found the animal, thought to be the third-largest species of tarantula, was scared of spiders and had been "understandably shaken" by the discovery.

Animal collection officer Steve Smith said the spider was probably an unwanted pet left by an owner who may have struggled to look after it.

He said: "We would recommend that anyone interested in keeping a tarantula as a pet thoroughly research the particular species' needs carefully first before deciding to get one, so they know what is involved and how long it is likely to be for."


Mr Smith said that despite its size, the spider was "not aggressive at all".

It is now being cared for by a specialist keeper.

Salmon pink Brazilian bird-eating spiders, or lasiodora parahybana, have pink hairs growing on their legs and are found in the tropical rain forests of eastern Brazil.

Despite its name, the species only rarely eats birds, preferring mostly insects it captures on the forest floor as well as lizards, frogs and mice.

Animal charities have warned of rising numbers of exotic pets being abandoned in the UK, often after they are given as presents.

It is not the first time a Brazilian spider has turned up unexpectedly. In 2015, a Bristol man received one in the post, meant for the previous owners of his house.

In 2013, a man had a tarantula confiscated after he tried to take it into a court in Kent.