Some Chicago residents were enjoying a walk through a local park last Friday when they suddenly spotted what looked like a very, very large spider crawling around the park. They went over to get a closer look — and realized it was a sizeable tarantula.
The poor little tarantula was probably abandoned because he appeared equally perplexed to be crawling about the park as the visitors did to see him there. The Good Samaritans immediately got in touch with GoodVets Streeterville out of concern for his welfare, and the clinic agreed to take him in.
After examining him thoroughly, the tarantula was identified as a pink-toed tarantula and appeared to be in great health, much to the relief of his rescuers. Despite his ordeal, he didn’t seem scared at all, and happily let his new friends handle and examine him. Tarantulas don’t just end up in Chicago parks on their own, and everyone was baffled as to how someone could abandon such a sweet little creature.
The veterinary team initially assumed the tarantula was a girl, around 2 years old, based on his size and form, and they named him Blossom.
“Blossom was quite docile when we handled him,” Dr. Sabrina Kuo, CEO of GoodVets, told The Dodo. “He was quite active and seemed to have a bit of a personality, happily posing for our photos.”
One of the veterinary assistants has extensive experience caring for tarantulas, and so he took Blossom home to foster until they can find him a wonderful forever home. It was only once Blossom was settled and relaxing in his foster home that the veterinary assistant realized he was actually a boy.
“Blossom is doing very well and loving his new enclosure,” Kuo said. “The spider very quickly got to making a silk nest in his new home, which is when our staff member made a very interesting discovery. During this process, it was noted that Blossom had mating hooks, confirming that Blossom is actually a male!”
Blossom appears to be having a blast in his foster home, regardless of his gender, and is probably overjoyed to be protected and cared for once more after being abandoned. He was found by the proper folks, which is fortunate, so perhaps soon he will have the best new forever family.
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