Camel Spider - Definition and Overview

Wind scorpion, Eastern Washington, USA

The Camel Spider (aka wind scorpion or sun spider) is the common name for a Solpugid: a large non-spider arachnid that lives in desert regions worldwide. The non-venomous camel spider is subject to many myths about its size, speed, and purported venom. It also has no glands for making spiderwebs, contrary to popular myth. The traveling speed of a camel spider is around 10 miles per hour.

Its living pattern is one of seeking shade, whether at nighttime or during the day. During the occupation of Iraq by coalition forces which began in April, 2003, soldiers noticed these arachnids seemingly racing up to them as if to attack. In reality, they were moving toward the newly available shade provided by the soldiers' presence. The absence of shade sends them away.

The leg span of Camel Spiders in the middle east may reach five inches while in North America they are typically around 1-1/2 to 2 inches.

Camel Spider myth

In the Middle East it is commonly believed that Camel Spiders will feed on living human flesh. The story goes that the creature will inject an anesthetizing venom into the exposed skin of their sleeping victim. Then they will feed voraciously leaving the victim to awaken with a gaping wound. Camel Spiders produce no such venom and are not known to feed on humans.

External links

• Snopes article on camel spider myths (http://www.snopes.com/photos/bugs/camelspider.asp)
• National Geographic article on Camel Spiders (http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/06/0629_040629_camelspider.html)
• Camel Spider Blues (http://www.chinapost1.org/guestbook.asp) (scroll down to the June 9, 2004 guestbook entry)
• Camel Spiders (http://www.camel-spiders.net)