Locals left terrified after shed tarantula skin found on pavement

A woman discovered a shed tarantula skin while walking her dog in Edenbridge, Kent - prompting experts to believe the spider is on the loose nearby. See SWNS story SWLSspider. Residents are worried after the shed skin of a TARANTULA was found on the pavement. Jodie Mae Jenner, 24, discovered what she thought was an injured or dead spider in Edenbridge in Kent on Saturday. But local experts identified the find as a shed skin - which means it is still on the loose. Tarantulas have a stiff eco-skeleton but to grow larger they must occasionally shed the skeleton and grow a new one. Photo of the tarantula skin she found, photo of Jodie Mae Jenner, 24, with her dog.
The shed tarantula skas spotted by Jodie Mae Jenner, 24, as she walked her dogs in Edenbridge, Kent. (SWNS)

Families have been left terrified after the shed skin of a tarantula was found lying on a pavement in a small Kent town.

The scary sight was found in Edenbridge, Kent, on Saturday by Jodie Mae Jenner, 24, who thought it was an injured or dead spider.

But local experts have since identified it as a shed skin - meaning the arachnid is still on the loose.

Tarantulas have a stiff eco-skeleton but to grow larger must occasionally shed it and grow a new one.

Jodie Mae Jenner - who has a phobia of spiders - was left terrified after the discovery, which she shared on Facebook. (SWNS)
Jodie Mae Jenner - who has a phobia of spiders - was left terrified after the discovery, which she shared on Facebook. (SWNS)

Jenner said: "I'm rather scared of spiders anyway, I have a bit of a phobia so I think I am always on the lookout anyway.

"Then I saw these legs. It's not the sort of thing you expect to find while you are out walking your dogs.

"We definitely won't be walking down there again for a while - but nevertheless I hope it's found and it finds an owner as soon as possible."

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The 24-year-old shared her discover on Facebook, sparking concern from fellow locals.

Tarantulas are venomous but not necessarily deadly if they bite humans - however, people are advised to avoid them if they spot them.

The creatures are not native to Britain and rarely survive long in the wild in the UK.