Not technically spiders, Camel Spiders make up a subcategory of Arachnids called Solifulgae, or Wind Scorpions. They grow to a legspan of about five inches, with a two inch body. They were the subject of a hoax email generated during Operation Desert Storm and reinvigorated in the last few years. Although purported to be vicious venomous feasters on human flesh, they are non-venomous and typically eat scorpions and centipedes and other large desert insects and arachnids. See video of a camel spider catching a scorpion here. Camel spiders are fond of shady spots, so soldiers tents, clothes, boots, etc. are popular hideouts. When cornered or stepped on, they will inflict a nasty bite with their oversized Chelicerae (jaws) that is prone to infection. There are around 1,100 species of camel spiders inhabiting the deserts of Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and North and South America. For some amazing photos taken by National Geographic photographer Mark Moffett in Iraq, check here.
To satisfy your curiosity about the unusual mating habits of Camel spiders, see after the jump.
An excerpt from the Emirates Natural History Group on the mating habits of Camel Spiders:
"Mating habits are different from those of other arachnids. The male courts the female by stroking her with his pedipalpi and forelegs. This reduces her to a passive state, as if anaesthetized, whereupon the male lays her on her side. Raising his body he ejects a mass of spermatozoa onto the ground, picks it up with his chelicerae and forces it into the vagina. He closes the opening and waits a few moments and then hurriedly departs before the female has a chance to grab and eat him."
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this is a hoax, these spiders aren't real
j_red. The spiders are indeed real. Their traits and behavior were exaggerated in an email that was circulated a few years ago (That they could run 25 mph, were as large as dinner plates, they could anesthetize their unaware victim while feasting on its flesh, and that they laid their eggs in the belly flesh of camels. That email was untrue. If you check my first link, it is the snopes debunking of the email. However, I assure you that there are over 1000 species of camel spiders located throughout the world. The photo with the soldiers is of two spiders at close range.
Dear...who ever,
Well iam doin a report an a camel spider!Do u think u can give me some GOOD information?Well wright back asap!!!
<3 Jazmin
Ahhhhhhhhh!~ OmG @ the spiders :(