The camel spider, an inhabitant of the world’s arid regions, has long captivated and terrified people due to its fearsome appearance and sensationalized reputation. Known by various names such as the sun spider or wind scorpion, this creature is the subject of exaggerated stories concerning its size, speed, and appetite. The creature belongs to a distinct order of arachnids, and its feeding habits are highly specialized for survival in harsh environments.
Identifying the Solifugae
The camel spider is not a true spider, belonging instead to the unique Order Solifugae within the Class Arachnida. They are neither true spiders nor scorpions, despite sharing features with both. The most striking physical characteristic is the massive pair of jaws, called chelicerae, which can be up to one-third of their body length. The body has four pairs of true walking legs, but an additional pair of appendages, the pedipalps, gives them the appearance of having ten legs. These pedipalps are primarily used as sensory organs to explore their environment and locate prey.
The True Diet of Camel Spiders
Camel spiders are opportunistic carnivores whose diet is dictated by what is most readily available in their dry, desert habitats. Their primary food source consists of small terrestrial arthropods, making them effective predators of insects like beetles, grasshoppers, and termites. They also prey on other arachnids, including small scorpions and other spiders, using their agility to overpower their victims. They are voracious eaters and will consume prey that is sometimes larger than their own body.
Larger species of Solifugae have been observed occasionally consuming small vertebrates, though this is a less frequent part of their diet. Reports include the successful predation of small lizards, rodents, and young birds. As generalist feeders, they will not pass up a meal, and their expansive abdomen allows them to consume a large amount of food at one time.
Hunting and Feeding Behavior
The hunting success of the Solifugae is largely due to their impressive speed and specialized feeding apparatus. They are active hunters that relentlessly pursue their prey rather than waiting in ambush like many other arachnids. Once the prey is secured, the powerful chelicerae come into play, working like a pair of shears to grasp, crush, and tear the victim’s body. These jaws are capable of a powerful bite force, which is essential for dismantling the tough exoskeletons of their arthropod prey.
Camel spiders do not use venom to immobilize their meals; instead, they use a process of external digestion. They secrete digestive fluids onto the prey, which break down the tissue into a liquefied substance. The predator then sucks up this “meat soup” into its digestive tract, leaving behind the indigestible parts.
Debunking the Most Common Camel Spider Myths
Many tales exaggerate the camel spider’s danger and capabilities. The name “camel spider” likely stems from the creature’s tendency to be found in desert regions where camels live, or possibly from seeking shade under a camel. The myth that they attack or disembowel camels is entirely false, as these animals are not aggressive toward large mammals.
Claims that the camel spider can run as fast as 25 miles per hour are a significant overstatement of their actual speed. Scientific estimates place their maximum running speed around 10 miles per hour, which is fast for an arachnid. Similarly, the idea that they are gigantic is often based on misleading photos that use forced perspective. The largest species have a body length up to about seven centimeters, with a leg span reaching up to 15 centimeters.
The fear that they chase humans to attack them is incorrect; rather, they are often seeking the shade provided by a person’s shadow to cool down in the harsh desert sun. Finally, the widespread belief that camel spiders possess venom that numbs a victim is untrue, as they are non-venomous. Their bite, while potentially painful due to the strength of their jaws, is not lethal to humans.