DUBLIN: A kilogramme of fearsome-looking stag beetles and an endangered species of turtle are among the strange creatures to have been seized by customs officials at Irish airports and mailing centres in recent years, it has been revealed.
A spitting cobra and a 20cm-long scorpion were also seized but had died in transit after they were posted to Ireland from the Czech Republic, according to details released under the Freedom of Information Act.
Two large zebra tarantulas, which had been cooked and prepared for human consumption, were also discovered by customs officials when they arrived at Portlaoise Mail Centre from Thailand.
Other peculiar delicacies seized upon their arrival in Ireland include fried sago worms — the larvae of a type of snout beetle which is native to tropical Asia.
Records released by the Office of the Revenue Commissioners reveal that a kilogramme of live stag beetles was seized by customs officials at a postal centre in 2014. The insects were subsequently transferred to the Department of Agriculture.
Stag beetles can grow to 12cm in length and are named after their huge jaws, which resemble the antlers of a male deer. Male beetles use these to wrestle each other when competing for mating sites or food.
A Chinese pond turtle, which is considered an endangered species, and two red-eared slider terrapins were seized at Dublin Airport under the CITES Act. They were transported to Dublin Zoo.
A number of dead animals were seized at Portlaoise Mail Centre, according to official documents. These included a bat skeleton posted from China, and a vintage baby alligator handbag from the US.
A spitting cobra and an imperial scorpion, which is one of the largest species of scorpion in the world, were also discovered at the centre but had perished en route from the Czech Republic.
Two of the strangest discoveries were the cooked and dehydrated zebra tarantulas and sago worms.
Zebra tarantulas can grow as large as 13cm, and are kept as pets or eaten. There is little flesh on their legs but the head and body contain a delicate white meat, according to Thai cookbooks.
Sago worms, which are the fatty larvae of the red palm weevil, can be eaten live or fried before eating. The worms are said to have a gooey texture when eaten raw, and a bacon-like taste when they are fried.
