What Does a Camel Spider Look Like?

Camel spiders, often a source of fascination and misunderstanding, are a group of arachnids with a unique appearance. Despite their common name, they are not true spiders or scorpions. These creatures belong to their own distinct order, Solifugae, meaning “those that flee from the sun” due to their nocturnal habits. Their classification as solifuges highlights physical characteristics that set them apart from other arachnids.

Key Physical Attributes

Camel spiders vary in size, with body lengths ranging from a few millimeters up to 7 centimeters (about 3 inches). Some large species can reach 12 to 15 centimeters (5 to 6 inches) including their outstretched legs. Their body divides into two main sections: the prosoma (fused head and thorax) and the opisthosoma (abdomen). The opisthosoma is segmented, displaying ten distinct segments, contributing to their elongated appearance.

They possess eight true walking legs, which are slender and covered in fine hairs or bristles. The first pair of these legs serves a sensory role, assisting them in navigating their environment. Extending from the front of their body are two prominent, leg-like appendages known as pedipalps. They function as sensory organs, similar to antennae, and are also used for grasping prey and climbing.

A striking feature of a camel spider’s appearance is its disproportionately large chelicerae, or jaws. These powerful mouthparts are located at the front of the prosoma and can be nearly one-third the length of their entire body. Each chelicera is bifurcated into two segments, forming a pincer-like structure used to cut and crush prey. Their coloration ranges from sandy, yellowish, or brownish tones to reddish or orange hues, providing effective camouflage in arid desert habitats.

Distinguishing Them from True Spiders

Despite sharing the “spider” name, several physical differences separate camel spiders from true spiders. A key distinction lies in their body segmentation. While true spiders have a two-part body (fused cephalothorax and unsegmented abdomen), camel spiders possess a segmented abdomen with ten distinct segments. This segmentation gives their posterior body a more articulated appearance compared to the smoother, more bulbous abdomen of a true spider.

Another common point of confusion arises from the apparent number of legs. True spiders have eight legs. Camel spiders, however, appear to have ten appendages because their two prominent pedipalps, used for sensing and manipulating, are so leg-like they are often mistaken for an extra pair of walking legs. This visual difference is a primary indicator that one is observing a solifuge rather than a true spider.

A key anatomical difference is the absence of silk-producing organs in camel spiders. True spiders possess spinnerets, located at the rear of their abdomen, enabling them to produce silk for webs, egg sacs, and other purposes. Camel spiders lack these spinnerets and cannot spin silk. Furthermore, camel spiders do not possess venom glands, relying instead on their chelicerae to subdue prey. This contrasts with most true spiders, which are equipped with fangs for injecting venom. The large, pincer-like jaws of camel spiders are designed for tearing and crushing, a mechanical approach to predation that differs significantly from the venom-delivery system of true spiders.