Camel spiders, also known as solifuges, sun spiders, or wind scorpions, are arachnids that often evoke fascination and apprehension due to their perceived size. These creatures are subjects of numerous exaggerated tales, particularly concerning their size and behavior. This article clarifies their true size and characteristics.
Understanding Their True Dimensions
Camel spiders vary in size, with most species measuring around 5 centimeters (2 inches) in body length. Some larger species can reach up to 7 centimeters (3 inches). Including their elongated appendages, the largest camel spiders can extend up to 15 centimeters (6 inches) across, with some reports indicating a leg span between 14 to 20.5 centimeters (5.5 to 8 inches). Males often have proportionally longer legs than females, despite typically having smaller body sizes.
The perceived size of camel spiders is often magnified by misleading photographs that use forced perspective, making them appear much larger than they are. Despite being larger than many common spiders, they are not the gigantic creatures often depicted. Their body length provides a more accurate size representation than their leg span.
Appearance and Where They Reside
Camel spiders possess a distinctive appearance, characterized by hairy bodies and legs that typically range from beige to various shades of brown. This coloration allows them to blend effectively into their natural environments. Like other arachnids, their body is divided into two main segments: the prosoma (cephalothorax) and the opisthosoma (abdomen).
A prominent feature of these arachnids is their large, powerful chelicerae, which are jaw-like mouthparts that can be up to one-third of their body length. These chelicerae are bifurcated, forming a pincer-like structure used for manipulating prey. Although they possess eight true legs for locomotion, camel spiders also have two additional leg-like appendages called pedipalps, which are primarily used for sensory perception and manipulating food, often leading to the mistaken impression that they have ten legs.
These creatures are predominantly found in arid and semi-arid regions across the globe, including the Middle East, southwestern United States, and Mexico. They thrive in sandy habitats with high temperatures and low humidity, commonly inhabiting deserts, scrublands, and occasionally grasslands or forests. Camel spiders are primarily nocturnal, seeking shelter in burrows or under rocks during the day to escape intense heat.
Separating Fact from Fiction
Camel spiders are frequently the subject of exaggerated claims, leading to misconceptions about their behavior and danger. Despite their common names, they are not true spiders or scorpions; instead, they belong to their own distinct order of arachnids called Solifugae. One common myth is that camel spiders are venomous; however, they do not possess venom glands. They rely on their powerful jaws to crush prey, which is then liquefied with digestive fluids for consumption.
Another persistent myth suggests that camel spiders chase people aggressively or scream. In reality, their name Solifugae translates to “those that flee from the sun,” and when they appear to chase humans, they are typically seeking shade to avoid desert heat. While fast, capable of reaching speeds up to 16 kilometers per hour (10 miles per hour) in short bursts, they are not as fast as some myths suggest. They also do not scream, though some species may produce a hissing or buzzing sound through stridulation.
The stories of camel spiders attacking camels or eating human flesh are unfounded. These arachnids are opportunistic carnivores, preying on arthropods like termites and beetles, and occasionally small vertebrates such as lizards, rodents, or small birds. Although their bite can be painful due to their strong jaws, it is generally not medically significant or deadly to humans, and they are not aggressive unless provoked.