Curtley is thought to be quite young and could more than double in size by the time it is fully mature
A venomous centipede which climbed into a woman's suitcase during her Caribbean holiday has been given a new home at Bristol Zoo.
Jennie Esler, from Bristol, was very surprised to find the centipede, nicknamed Curtley, while unpacking her bag two days after returning from English Harbour, Antigua.
Curtley, thought to be a baby Peruvian giant centipede, is 11cm (4in) long.
Formally known as scolopendra gigantea, members of the species can reach 30cm.
The arthropod's sting, which is given through its front claws, can result in a blistering rash, nausea and fever.
No antidote exists, but the sting is very rarely life-threatening.
'Quite shy'
Ms Esler explained how she found the centipede: "I packed [my bag] up to leave on the Saturday morning, popped to the beach for a bit and then made our way up to the airport," she said.
When she later unpacked the last few items from her bag she said: "At first I thought I was seeing things and then I peered inside and saw nothing but legs against the black fabric of the bag.
"He didn't actually run out, he was quite shy. I had to tip him out of the bag into the bathroom sink, as I didn't really know what he was at this point.
"I couldn't believe it when I saw him. How did he get there? I didn't know what to do so I called the RSPCA who advised me to ring the zoo."
Curtley is now at home in the zoo's Bug World exhibit.
Assistant curator of invertebrates Mark Bushell said: "It is hard to tell whether Curtley is male or female but we do know that he or she likes digging tunnels and particularly likes eating crickets."
