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Painful erection causing deadly spider spreads panic in Austrian supermarket

Rescuers initially thought they were going to catch a banana spider but it later turned out to be a Brazilian wandering spider.

Published on: Aug 11, 2023, 17:57:08 IST
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A Brazilian wandering spider created such a widespread panic among shoppers and staff at an Austrian supermarket that the place had to temporarily be closed. As per reports, the tiny creature is not just highly venomous but its bite can cause erection that can last for up to four hours.

The image shows a rescuer searching for a Brazilian wandering spider in a banana box. (feuerwehr-krems)
The image shows a rescuer searching for a Brazilian wandering spider in a banana box. (feuerwehr-krems)

Also Read: Man goes to bathroom, finds a massive snake waiting for him

How was the spider discovered in the supermarket?

The branch manager of the supermarket first discovered the spider while opening banana boxes to put the fruits in the shelves, reports a blog published by the fire department that was called to handle the situation. The blog also explains how the manager described the crawly creature - “about ten centimeters tall and black and red.” Initially, the rescuers thought that they were going to catch a banana spider but it later turned out to be a Brazilian wandering spider.

The image shows a rescuercalled to catch a Brazilian wandering spider sealing a banana box. (feuerwehr-krems)
The image shows a rescuercalled to catch a Brazilian wandering spider sealing a banana box. (feuerwehr-krems)

The fire department was unable to find the spider on the spot, so they sealed and collected all the boxes with the bananas. They also closed the establishment so that the management could implement "comprehensive cleaning and disinfection measures".

The supermarket was temporarily closed after a erection causing spider was spotted inside. (feuerwehr-krems)
The supermarket was temporarily closed after a erection causing spider was spotted inside. (feuerwehr-krems)

How deadly is the spider?

The Brazilian wandering spider's bite can cause convulsions, hypothermia, and even blurred visions besides erections, reports The Sun. In fact, studies are being conducted on this creature’s venom in relation to erectile dysfunction treatments.

Also Read: Live Spider crawls out of a man's ear. Watch hair-raising video

Here's how netizens reacted

Soon the news made its way onto social media and prompted netizens to share varied reactions. “New fear unlocked,” wrote a Twitter user. “So there is a spider in Brazil which can cause long and painful erection once it bites you,” added another. “Oh my!! That’s new,” posted a third.

  • Trisha Sengupta
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Trisha Sengupta

    Trisha Sengupta is a Chief Content Producer at Hindustan Times with over six years of digital newsroom experience. Specialising in high-engagement storytelling, she blends viral trends with traditional journalism to cover the intersection of technology, finance, and human emotion. Her reporting spans real estate and personal finance struggles in hubs like Bengaluru and Gurgaon, the NRI experience, and corporate shifts like tech layoffs. Trisha also frequently tracks global figures and writes human interest stories. Offline, Trisha is an avid reader, history enthusiast and solo traveler. She balances her journalism career with family life while actively integrating AI tools into her modern storytelling approach.Read More