Bird-eating giant tarantulas may be on the loose after reportedly escaping from a container in Derbyshire.

Residents living near to where giant tarantulas escaped say they feel frightened and vulnerable – including an alarmed cattery owner.

The venomous spiders are thought to be on the loose after their babies were found abandoned in a car park on Thursday.

Residents living near to where giant tarantulas escaped say they feel frightened and vulnerable – including an alarmed cattery owner. (Picture: PA)

The RSCPA say that, if members of the public see the creatures, they should not try to handle them or approach them.


Bird-eating spider babies, which can grow to the size of a dinner plate, were found inside some discarded pots at the side of a car park at Bateman’s Yard Stable, Somercotes.

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The RSPCA has now said that this is off Birchwood Lane near Birchwood Equestrian Centre and the Birchwood Lane allotments.



A driver, who ran over two of the pots, told the woman who reported the spiders to the RSPCA that he had seen two larger spiders running away from

the area.

Now the owner of nearby Birchwood Boarding Kennels and Cattery, in Birchwood Lane, says she is worried.

Sarah Towndrow said: ‘This is very worrying. Two of the workers ran around the kennels screaming when they heard the news.

The RSCPA say that, if members of the public see the creatures, they should not try to handle them or approach them. (Picture: PA)

‘They could cause real harm to the animals here, so we will be keeping a very close eye on them.’ (Picture: PA)

Readers on Facebook also expressed their worry over the incident. Nicola Millar said: ‘Well I won’t be going anywhere near Somercotes.’ (Picture: PA)

‘We are getting a vet out so they can take a good look and advise us on what we need to do. We’re also all going to be searching the area to make sure they’re not here and then report it if they are.

‘They could cause real harm to the animals here, so we will be keeping a very close eye on them.

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‘There’s a lot of places they could hide and keep out of the way so the search will be very thorough. People feel frightened and it makes the animals vulnerable.

‘It might be the case that we have to put something down as a deterrent to stop them causing us any problems.’

Readers on Facebook also expressed their worry over the incident. Nicola Millar said: ‘Well I won’t be going anywhere near Somercotes.’

Tracey McKinley added: ‘This is my worst nightmare.’

Anyone with information about the spiders should contact the RSPCA on 0300 123 8018. If the spiders are seen, do not attempt to handle them; monitor

them from a distance and call the RSPCA on the number above.