A non-dangerous huntsman spider from Ivory Coast was found in a UK school’s kitchen inside a banana shipment.

A large huntsman spider, likely from the Ivory Coast, was found in a Cambridgeshire primary school’s kitchen inside a banana shipment, alarming staff. Experts confirmed it was a non-lethal, common species that is venomous but poses no serious threat, causing only mild reactions if bitten. A volunteer captured and took the spider home as a pet. Reptile expert Chris Newman said such spiders frequently arrive in the UK via imported fruit, with similar incidents occurring several times yearly, and urged the public to remain calm, take a photo, and contact the National Centre for Reptile Welfare for safe handling.