Brazilian Wandering Spider Bite Effects: UK Supermarket Sells Banana Filled With Dozens of World's Deadliest Spider
A British family found out why the world's deadliest spider is nicknamed the banana spider when they found dozens of the arachnid in their bunch of bananas.
Consi Taylor was halfway through a banana she purchased at a Sainsbury's supermarket when she spotted a mysterious white blotch on her fruit. Soon she realized that the white spot was actually a fuzzy cocoon-like clump filled with dozens of spiders.
"I had a closer look and was horrified to see they were spiders," Taylor told The Sun. "They were hatching out on the table, scurrying around on my carpet."
When Taylor brought the bananas back to the supermarket she received a £10 gift certificate as compensation.
Afterwards, Taylor and her family called pest control who identified the banana surprise as Brazilian wandering spiders, which many consider the world's deadliest spider. The Guinness Book of World Records named the Brazilian wandering spider the most venomous type of spider. It only takes 0.006 milligram of the spider venom to kill a mouse,.
The Taylors were instructed to evacuate their Hampton home because the deadly spiders could have infested the house. Sainsbury's paid for the fumigation and for a hotel for the family.
The Brazilian wandering spider is also known as the banana spider because it is known to lurk in banana plants. Their natural habitat is in Central and South America. Potent might be the best word to describe the banana spider's poison as it is also said to help men with erectile dysfunction.
"We're very sorry and have apologized to Mr. and Mrs. Taylor," Sainsbury's said. "We do have rigorous controls on imported products at all stages, from harvesting to transportation, which is why this is so rare."
View a picture of Taylor's tasty banana here.