Dog-sized spider found in South America

Dog-sized spider found in South America

''I couldn't quite understand what I was seeing.''

A dog-sized spider has been found in the South American rainforest.

The arachnid - which has two-inch venomous fangs and had grown to around the size of a puppy - was found by shocked Scientist Piotr Naskrecki in the undergrowth.

The spider was identified as a South American Goliath Birdeater - the largest in the world - with a maximum leg span of around a foot, reports The Mirror newspaper.

Piotr said: ''I couldn't quite understand what I was seeing.''

Contrary to its moniker, the creature is said to feast on rodents, frogs and toads, as well as snakes and lizards.