The camel spider, also called the wind scorpion, is an arachnid but not a spider. It cannot weave a web and it has no poison. Shadow-seeking camel spiders, called solpugids, occupy desert regions around the world.
Camel spiders reach a length of about 5 inches with their legs outstretched and are slightly less scary than their reputation.
In fact, camel spiders are not spiders.
The folklore began in 1991 with American soldiers during the Gulf War and was revived in 2003 when the United States returned to Iraq. The soldiers reported that the spiders were running across the sand directly at them as if they were attacking. In fact, the camel spiders run after the shadow and look for the shadow created by the soldiers. Misinformation about camel spiders ran rampant with rumors of their ability to run at 25 mph, leap several feet into the air, lay eggs in a camel’s stomach, and even inject anesthetic poison into sleeping soldiers to surreptitiously suck on bits of blood. meat.
Camel spider folklore is not limited to the Middle East. In Mexico, the camel spider’s name, matevenados, translates to “deer killers.”
Camel spiders can be found in the desert terrain of the Middle East.
Camel spiders can reach speeds of 16 km/h, jump to modest heights and are aggressive, although they are not the superswords of myth. Camel spiders feed on invertebrates, insects, and even small reptiles. They have huge crushing jaws that must work quickly because they have no venom to subdue their prey. Finally, camel spiders are so named not because they feed on camels, but because they are found in the same desert climates as camels.
Camel spiders occupy desert regions.
It’s no wonder the camel spider is the source of many tall tales with its impressive speed, generous size, and huge, protruding jaws. The incredible camel spider brings to mind things from movies like Starship Troopers, which pit humanity against worlds where giant arachnids rule. But, for now at least, the camel spider remains a mere shadowhunter, running across the sand in search of another meal that will likely have at least 4 legs, if not 6 or 8. And that’s good news for us.