A Brit had the fright of his life when he returned from Mexico - and found a tarantula in his jeans.<br /><br />James Mugridge, 31, discovered the 12cm-long creature - thought to be a Mexican red rump - after spending two weeks in jungle hotels.<br /><br />The spider - also known as a Tliltocatl vagans - is known to be docile and its bite is not considered overly dangerous to people.<br /><br />But James didn't know that - and says he shouted when he saw furry legs emerging from his jeans.<br /><br />Peeling back the fold with chopsticks, he discovered the tarantula was already dead - believed to have frozen in the plane's hold.<br /><br />James, from Exeter, Devon, said: "For a split second I thought it was alive - I let out a yelp!"<br /><br />The business consultant flew to Cancun on April 15 for a two-week holiday with his girlfriend Emma Forrester, 27.<br /><br />The couple hired a car and drove down the coast to Tulum, staying in jungle-style hotels.<br /><br />They saw several tarantulas along the way, including the Mexican red rump - with one deciding to hitch a ride back to the UK.<br /><br />James said: "I think it was in [the jeans] for a couple days at least.<br /><br />"We're lucky because the bag was supposed to come in the cabin. But there was not enough space, so they put it in the hold.<br /><br />"Subsequently, the tarantula froze to death, but in the cabin I fear it would have been alive and kicking.<br /><br />"The sting on it is said to be worse than a bee sting, but its not fatal. <br /><br />"That being said, I was absolutely terrified when I saw the little thing had made its way into my jeans. It really was the last thing I was expecting."
