A YATE MAN lives with a collection of more than 700 tarantulas.
Aaron Phoenix, 36, started accumulating the spiders in summer 2021 to help with his mental health.
He keeps them all in his "tarantula cave" - and says the biggest is the size of a dinner plate.
Aaron, from Yate, lives with the spiders alongside his partner, Jo, 47, and her two teenage daughters.
But he's in the process of finding a separate premises for the tarantulas - as he's still growing his collection.
Aaron, a house removals specialist, said: “I couldn't give you an exact number, but I have more than 700.
"Even though it sounds cheesy I was born to do this.
“People always ask if I’m kidding when I tell them how many spiders I have - they ask if there is something wrong with me.
“But everyone has their hobby, what they like to do. Some people like to go to the gym - and I like to collect tarantulas.
“All in all, I’ve rescued 120 spiders in the last year or so - it’s just my life really, it’s everything to me.
“I don’t think there could ever be a limit with me, as soon as I had one, I knew I wanted more.
“As long as I know that I can look after them and give them basic care then I’m happy.”
Aaron first started collecting when doctors told him a hobby could help his mental health following a bipolar diagnosis.
The inspiration came from a pet tarantula he had as a teen, but tragically had to give up.
His collection quickly grew – and now he rescues abandoned arachnids from around the country, as well as working towards being able to sell the animals to other collectors and spider-lovers.
Now he’s even started offering visits to kid's parties – giving youngsters and parents alike the chance to safely experience the beasts up close.
He said: “I’ve got a premises so I can have my own spider store, I’m working on a website and travelling around the country rescuing spiders.
“At the moment I have a designated room in my house, my tarantula cave.
“I have a full-time job doing house removals, but as things have developed, I’ve realised this is what I want to do."
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