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Camel spider Facts

Camel spider Facts
Camel spider is a spider-like creature that belongs to the group of arachnids. There are more than 1.000 species of camel spider that can be found all over the world except in Antarctica and Australia. Camel spider inhabits warm, arid, sandy areas and deserts. Several species are adapted to the life in scrublands, grasslands and forests. Camel spider can be seen during the spring and summer, when temperature is high and prey abundant. Number of camel spiders in the wild is large and stable. These creatures are not on the list of endangered species.
Interesting Camel spider Facts:
Camel spider can reach 5 to 6 inches in length and up to 2 ounces of weight. Males are smaller than females, but have longer legs.
Camel spider has tan, brown or reddish brown, hairy body.
Camel spider has elongated jaws (called chelicerae), 4 pair of long legs and one pair of leg-like sensory organs (called pedipalps) near the jaw.
Despite its name, camel spider is not a spider. It is actually a solifuge. Unlike spiders, solifuges do not produce venom and silk.
Camel spider is also known as "wind scorpion" because of its scorpion-like body and ability to "run like a wind".
Camel spider is nocturnal animal (active during the night). It hides in the shade and burrows in the sand during the day.
Camel spider is a carnivore (meat-eater). Its diet is based on insects, lizards, frogs, birds, snakes and rodents.
Camel spider chops its victim into small pieces and uses digestive enzymes to turn them into liquid. It becomes swollen and unable to walk after the large meal.
Chelicerae have horny ridges on the inner side. By rubbing them together, camel spider can produce rattling noise.
Camel spider breathes via tracheal system which consists of set of tubes that exchange gases with atmosphere via three pairs of slits on the ventral side of the body.
Camel spider is very fast animal that can run at the speed of 10 miles per hour.
Camel spider's name is associated with widespread, but false belief, that these animals can jump few feet in the air, pierce the skin on the camel's belly and eat the content of its stomach.
Camel spiders will occasionally follow humans, but only to hide in their shadow. They attack humans only in self-defense. Since bite can be very painful and wound can become infected, medical attention is highly recommended.
Camel spiders produce one brood per year. Female lays 50 to 200 eggs in the burrows under the stones (or some other covered area) and guards the eggs until they hatch. Some females provide food for their offspring. Newly hatched camel spiders need to undergo 9 to 10 nymphal instars before they transform into adults.
Camel spider can survive one to two years in the wild.


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