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Venomous centipede found in holidaymaker's suitcase | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A venomous centipede which climbed into a woman's suitcase during her Caribbean holiday has been given a new home at Bristol Zoo. | |
Jennie Esler, from Bristol, was very surprised to find the centipede, nicknamed Curtley, while unpacking her bag two days after returning from English Harbour, Antigua. | Jennie Esler, from Bristol, was very surprised to find the centipede, nicknamed Curtley, while unpacking her bag two days after returning from English Harbour, Antigua. |
Curtley, thought to be a baby Peruvian giant centipede, is 11cm (4in) long. | Curtley, thought to be a baby Peruvian giant centipede, is 11cm (4in) long. |
Formally known as scolopendra gigantea, members of the species can reach 30cm. | Formally known as scolopendra gigantea, members of the species can reach 30cm. |
The arthropod's sting, which is given through its front claws, can result in a blistering rash, nausea and fever. | |
No antidote exists, but the sting is very rarely life-threatening. | No antidote exists, but the sting is very rarely life-threatening. |
'Quite shy' | 'Quite shy' |
Ms Esler explained how she found the centipede: "I packed [my bag] up to leave on the Saturday morning, popped to the beach for a bit and then made our way up to the airport," she said. | Ms Esler explained how she found the centipede: "I packed [my bag] up to leave on the Saturday morning, popped to the beach for a bit and then made our way up to the airport," she said. |
When she later unpacked the last few items from her bag she said: "At first I thought I was seeing things and then I peered inside and saw nothing but legs against the black fabric of the bag. | When she later unpacked the last few items from her bag she said: "At first I thought I was seeing things and then I peered inside and saw nothing but legs against the black fabric of the bag. |
"He didn't actually run out, he was quite shy. I had to tip him out of the bag into the bathroom sink, as I didn't really know what he was at this point. | "He didn't actually run out, he was quite shy. I had to tip him out of the bag into the bathroom sink, as I didn't really know what he was at this point. |
"I couldn't believe it when I saw him. How did he get there? I didn't know what to do so I called the RSPCA who advised me to ring the zoo." | "I couldn't believe it when I saw him. How did he get there? I didn't know what to do so I called the RSPCA who advised me to ring the zoo." |
Curtley is now at home in the zoo's Bug World exhibit. | Curtley is now at home in the zoo's Bug World exhibit. |
Assistant curator of invertebrates Mark Bushell said: "It is hard to tell whether Curtley is male or female but we do know that he or she likes digging tunnels and particularly likes eating crickets." | Assistant curator of invertebrates Mark Bushell said: "It is hard to tell whether Curtley is male or female but we do know that he or she likes digging tunnels and particularly likes eating crickets." |
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