Black widow spider in crate at business park

A potentially lethal spider whose poison is 15 times more venomous than that of a rattlesnake has been found in Scotland. The black widow spider was found in a crate which had been transported to Portlethen, Aberdeenshire, from America.

Workers at the business park were shocked to discover the arachnid in the crate. They called the Scottish SPCA on Thursday. Mike Flynn, the Scottish SPCA chief superintendent, said: “Sadly the spider had to be put to sleep as there is nowhere in Scotland to safely rehome it, and we could not keep it in our centre due to severe health and safety concerns.” Black widow venom causes cramps and fever, but their bites are rarely fatal because of the small amount of poison.