Spitting cobra, tag beetles and an endangered turtle seized by customs officials in last year

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.