Imagine coming across a bag full of big spiders!

​​​​​​​An RSPCA animal centre has rehomed 10 tarantulas who were abandoned in freezing temperatures in Lewes.

The spiders are being cared for at the Brighton Reptile Rescue Centre after they were left inside rubbish sacks on a grass verge outside Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare before Christmas, and one tarantula died.

The tarantulas were found as the RSPCA reveals that between 18 December and 31 December, there were 846 incidents across England and Wales concerning animals being abandoned - the most for this period since 2018.

They recovered from their ordeal and all of the spiders have been rehomed with owners who were able to demonstrate expertise, as well as possessing suitable accommodation to meet the needs of the invertebrates.

While tarantulas are often viewed as low-maintenance pets, they have very specific requirements, which includes being housed in enclosures at certain temperatures and humidity depending on the species because they come from a tropical/sub-tropical environment.

Head of Reptiles at Brighton, Fred Bark, explained: “Tarantulas are fairly hardy, although the one that passed away was of a species that can be particularly affected by cold temperatures. Generally we know fairly quickly whether they are going to be okay when they come in to us.

“The intake was a mix of old and new world tarantulas, so they were different species from different parts of the world, which meant each one needed specific care. Most of them were not fully grown, but they were still big spiders.

“There are quite a few people who keep tarantulas in the Brighton area and once we established they were going to survive we notified some potential adopters. Owners need the right enclosures and the knowledge to care for them and once they’d satisfied us they could meet their needs we were able to rehome them all fairly quickly.”

The reptile rescue is based at the branch’s animal centre, whose manager, Jenny Eden, added: “It was important these tarantulas got the careful rehabilitation which we are able to provide our reptiles here at Brighton - we are the only dedicated RSPCA reptile rescue in England and Wales. Fortunately, whoever abandoned them also left the vivariums they were being kept in, so our staff were able to use them to care for them as they made their recovery.”

So why are people afraid of spiders? Many people experience fear when encountering spiders. This fear can be intense, often disproportionate to the actual threat posed by most spiders. Several factors contribute to why spiders evoke such a strong reaction in humans.

Firstly, evolutionary psychology suggests that this fear may be an ingrained survival mechanism. Historically, humans who were quick to avoid or react to spiders were less likely to suffer from bites, some of which could be venomous. Although few spiders pose a real danger to humans, the instinctual drive to avoid them may have been beneficial for our ancestors’ survival, and thus, the fear has persisted through generations.

The physical appearance of spiders can trigger fear. Spiders often have multiple eyes and legs, which can appear alien and unsettling compared to human and mammalian norms. Their unpredictable and quick movements can also startle and unsettle individuals. These characteristics can make spiders appear as more of a threat, regardless of their actual behavior or harmlessness.

Cultural influences also play a significant role in shaping attitudes toward spiders. In many stories, films, and folklore, spiders are depicted as menacing or ominous creatures. This portrayal can amplify existing fears, or instill the idea that spiders are something to be feared, especially in young children who are highly impressionable.