A massive huntsman spider was found in a shipment of bananas at a school in Ramsey, near Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, sparking concerns among the staff. The bananas had traveled approximately 3,200 miles from the Ivory Coast and may have contained a Barylestis spp spider, known for its speed and aggressiveness in hunting prey.
Despite their intimidating appearance, Huntsman spiders pose little threat to humans due to their mild venom. Chris Newman, the director of the National Centre for Reptile Welfare, identified the spider as possibly a huntsman species from the same family. This discovery prompted some locals to express their unease, with one person jokingly stating they would now be inspecting their fruit more carefully before purchase.
Reactions ranged from fear to humor, with individuals like Hazel Ross expressing genuine fright and others like Nicki Holloway joking about their meticulous fruit-checking habits. The incident even led someone to humorously comment on their partner’s reaction to their cautious shopping behavior. Amidst the mixed reactions, some, like Emma Richards, contemplated giving up bananas altogether.