Woman forgets 20 tarantulas on German train
April 17, 2026
A woman forgot 20 tarantulas on a train in southern Germany, prompting a police response after the unusual cargo was discovered by a train driver. The driver...
A commuter's unusual oversight on a regional German train prompted a police response this week when a box containing 20 live tarantulas was discovered left behind. The incident occurred on a service traveling to the university town of Tübingen in southern Germany. A train driver found a package labeled "spiders and scorpions" and promptly alerted the authorities. Federal police officers met the train at the Tübingen main station to investigate the unexpected cargo.
Upon opening the package, officers found the 20 arachnids safely housed in individual containers. A professionally printed note inside the box not only identified the owner but also confirmed that the animals were being kept in accordance with species protection regulations. The spiders were identified as Brazilian tarantulas of the species Avicularia geroldi, and all were found to be in good health. The owner, a 31-year-old woman, was contacted and able to retrieve her forgotten companions later the same day.
Authorities confirmed that the brief episode caused no disruption to rail traffic. The woman who left the tarantulas behind will not face any charges, as it was deemed a simple case of forgetfulness. While the reason for her distraction remains unclear, the safe and legal transport of the animals contributed to the swift and uncomplicated resolution of the matter. The unusual nature of the forgotten items, however, made for a memorable day for the railway staff and police involved.
This is not the first time that spiders have made unexpected appearances in public spaces in Germany. In a separate incident, customs officials at Cologne Bonn Airport discovered a much larger and more concerning shipment of approximately 1,500 tarantulas. In that case, the animals were found hidden in small plastic tubes inside cake boxes, and many had not survived the journey, leading to an investigation into violations of animal welfare laws. Another past incident involved a man in North Rhine-Westphalia who reportedly found a tarantula in his mailbox.
The keeping of exotic pets, including tarantulas, is a regulated hobby in Germany. The documentation found with the forgotten spiders in Tübingen indicated the owner was in compliance with these regulations. This adherence to the law likely played a significant role in the authorities' decision not to press charges. For now, the 20 tarantulas are back in the care of their owner, bringing a calm end to a potentially alarming discovery. The incident serves as a peculiar reminder for all passengers to double-check their belongings, no matter how unusual, before disembarking.
Source: yahoo