A DEADLY Black Widow spider has taken up residence at Stratford Butterfly Farm after being discovered in a VW Camper Van imported from California.
The couple who owned the van had it shipped over last year and it had been in their garage ever since.
They recently took it to be checked over by a mechanic in Worcestershire, who found the small spider – one of the most dangerous in the world – while he was working underneath the car. Luckily he realised it was a deadly Black Widow due to its distinctive red markings and immediately called the RSPCA.
It has since been rehomed at the Stratford Butterfly Farm where it is kept for public viewing in an alarmed tank.
A spokeswoman from the Butterfly Farm said: “The spider has now settled into its new home, thousands of miles from its original home in California. It is the only Black Widow currently residing at the farm.
“As the spider is renowned for being incredibly tough and living in dark crevices, it was easy for it to remain unnoticed in the camper van. It would have eaten insects to survive and caught its prey in its web.
“Although living in the van for the last 11 months, it appears completely unscathed after its travels from the USA.”
Visit www.butterflyfarm.co.uk or call 01789 299288 to find out more.
