Woman opens suitcase to find 'terrifying guest' that hopped in from Africa
A woman was left feeling a little worried after she found an unexpected stowaway in her suitcase following her return from Uganda, East Africa.
Holidaymakers often bring back mementos. But one woman's return from her travels came with an unexpected twist – a live spider hitching a ride in her luggage.
The chilling scenario mirrors the plot of the horror flick 'Arachnophobia', leaving the traveller understandably unnerved upon discovering the eight-legged stowaway.
She recounted her tale on social media, revealing that the spider had travelled all the way from Uganda, East Africa, to her home after she landed at Los Angeles airport. Despite capturing the creature, she was at a loss about how to deal with it.
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As her post gathered momentum online, concerned people and experts chimed in with advice. Some suggested surrendering the spider to the authorities or killing it to prevent potential ecological damage.
A self-identified biologist from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife weighed in, saying: "We don't take stuff like that and we would just dispatch it."
They continued, highlighting the gravity of the situation, by saying: "This state spends millions of dollars on invasive species control. It's a nice thought to keep it alive in a perfect world where a spider enthusiast cares for it forever, but the reality is that the risk to our native ecosystems is so high that it's not even worth it. Stick it in ethanol and keep it on your shelf."
Concerns were raised that the spider might be pregnant, potentially unleashing a brood of babies. One person suggested: "Definitely see about finding an arachnologist who could take her off your hands, arachnologists will know how to handle her if she does have babies and assure they don't escape into the wild, which could be a problem if they were to establish themselves as an invasive species."
Despite the flurry of speculation, the exact species of the spider remained a mystery, with many referring to it simply as a "terrifying guest" and likening the situation to the beginning of a horror film.
The saga captivated numerous online followers eager for updates on the spider's fate. Ultimately, the woman shared the unfortunate (to some) news that the spider had not survived.
She wrote: "Sadly, she died shortly after we found her. She had been in there for over 40 hours, went through two long-haul flights, and was stuck in there with direct exposure to several clothing items I treated with permethrin for my primate treks. Poor thing was more resilient than most."
