LOWELL — A UMass Lowell professor warned students to not get spooked if they saw a spider in the Olsen building on Thursday.

The tarantula Professor Rick Hochberg uses for one of his courses went missing Thursday. He posted a sign in the building asking anyone who saw the spider to call him or visit his office.

The tarantula is unlikely to approach people and is not dangerous, said university spokeswoman Christine Gillette.

Hochberg posted the sign in the hopes of someone spying the creature in the halls. He told Gillette he’s not sure if the tarantula is still alive, she said.

The sign said the tarantula is four or five inches long and is named Aragog, after the Harry Potter films. Though it is not dangerous, it can bite, the sign said.

If you see the tarantula, call Hochberg at 978-934-2885 or go to his office in Olsen, 413A.

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