Aberdeen student finds scorpion in her bed

It is thought that the scorpion hitched a ride back to Scotland from Borneo in a suitcase. Picture: SSPCA

Aberdeen zoology student Vicky Raitt, 23, believes the Asian forest scorpion must travelled home in her suitcase.

The brave zoology student was able to contain the three-inch long creature inside a plastic tub until an inspector from the Scottish SPCA arrived at her city home in Orchard Street.

She said: “I opened my eyes and the scorpion was literally a hand’s length away from my face with its tail raised.

“I jumped out of bed and, after doing a double take to make sure I hadn’t imagined it, I ran to the kitchen to get a plastic tub to put it in. My suitcase was damaged on the way home from Borneo so I think it crawled inside through the hole.

“I’d been back for five days before I found the scorpion so it must have been living with me all that time.

“It’s scary to think what could have happened if I hadn’t woken up and it had stung me.”

The scorpion is currently in the care of the Scottish SPCA’s Aberdeenshire Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre in Drumoak and has been offered a new home by Nick Martin, who has an exotic animal rescue charity in Inverness.

Inspector Fiona McKenzie said: “Asian forest scorpions aren’t deadly but if bitten the pain could vary from that of a bee-sting to intense inflammation and sickness.”