I found an exotic spider ... where did it come from? [UK]?

Question

Someone bought me an orchid, and after I unwrapped it I found a rather large, brown spider close by. The spider seemed to be dead [it didn't move when my husband scooped it up into a glass], and it was about 3" across.

I know that this shop-bought orchid was grown in south east asia, and wondered if it was possible that the spider could have travelled all this way in the plant?

I'm having lots of spider problems lately!

Answer 1

I'd sh't myself if i saw a spider 3" across in my house

Answer 2

Yes it defo could have travelled all the way from there to here. Perhaps that is why it is dead it could have got squashed OR

It could have died due to the weather conditions over here compared to Asia's weather. Some creatures are only suited to their habitats.  

Answer 3

Yes it no doubt got brought over with the plant, i'd make sure it was dead before throwing it out, they do like to play dead or capture and ring someone specialised in spiders. That is how arachnophobia started, imported spider :(

Answer 4

For the love of god incinerate it. I personally dislike spiders, small non-poisonous ones are frightening to me. I suppose you'd call it a phobia. But if we start getting Huge, poisonous frikking tarantulas, I might have to throw out all my stuff, and confine myself to a small room painted white all over, so that any spiders are easily spotted and easily kept out.

Answer 5

it could be one of a dozen species of spider-if it has mottled brown and black markings then it is likely to be a huntsman (brown huntsman (often wrongly referred to as "tarantulas")=heteropoda)-although our particular fella seems a bit small. (some species of huntsman can grow to 11" inches across!!) while their bite can be painful and may bring the onset of nausea dizziness and heart palpitations they are seldom dangerous to humans and are actually quite shy creatures.

the spiders legs may appear disjointed giving the spider a crab-like appearance (the legs angled forwards).

they are most common in australia but can be found in most sub-tropical parts of the world.

you should really incinerate it if it is dead.

Answer 6

They travel a long way - some come in banana boxes.  Haven't you seen the film arachnophobia?

Answer 7

um, chances are south east asia!!

Answer 8

There have been hundreds of cases of spiders , snakes and scorpions hitching a ride in plants, shipments and fruit from other countries. So it could well be. But lets not jump to conclusions it is the summer so there are some big local spiders in this country.