A Broseley schoolgirl has found herself a new pet which needs handling with care – a tiny European scorpion.Eight-year-old Lola Jackson found the unusual arachnid on a paved area in her garden in Church Street on Sunday.
Mum Caris is now desperately trying to find out how to look after the visitor, which is more often found in warmer climes of southern Europe. She said: “We’re now just desperately trying to keep it alive – as we found it I feel responsible for it.
Lola Jackson, of Broseley, looks at her new pet
“We will probably keep it if we can, as long as we can find it something decent to live in. It’s in a jam jar at the moment.
“Lola has become quite attached to it. It was just out in the garden near some flower pots – we’ve got no idea where it came from.”
The scorpion, which Lola has named Steve Backshall after the intrepid presenter of the BBC wildlife programme Deadly 60, is now living off a diet of live insects the family is finding for it.
Caris added: “I’m fairly sure it’s a European scorpion. Apparently there are some in southern England around the docks.”
She is now hoping to find someone who can give her specialist help on caring for the scorpion, and is waiting to hear back from Shropshire Wildlife Trust for advice.
Scorpions are not native to Britain but there is a large colony in Sheerness Docks in Kent which has thrived in British weather for 200 years, and there have been other isolated finds around the country.
European scorpions do have the proverbial sting in the tail but are generally considered to be harmless.
Caroline Pond, from Shropshire Wildlife Trust, said she would contact one of the trust’s rescue centres for advice for Mrs Jackson.
She said: “It looks like it’s an escaped pet, unless it has come over on a boat or something.
“It might need heat as well, as European scorpions are from warmer climates.”
Do you have any unusual pets? E-mail news@bridgnorthjournal.co.uk