Arachnophobia
They’re part of the Solifugae family of arachnids. Their name means “those that flee from the sun”. Technically, they’re not true spiders, but instead descend from the arachnid family order along the likes of scorpions.
Solifugae. Arachnids. We call them CAMEL SPIDERS!
These nocturnal creatures love to live in dry, hot, sandy, desolate, humid, unpopulated areas in the middle of nowhere…..just like the U.S. military! Perfect. When soldiers set up tents in the desert these Camel Spiders immediately come around trying to take in some of the much needed shade.
There has been some video of these living, breathing, killers. Click “here“. I’ve had the pleasure of only seeing these guys in containers. They’re not as big (up to 6″) as folklore likes to believe (12-18″), nor as deadly (they don’t carry any venom). However, they do have very strong jaws, and a powerful bite, although not deadly. They’re pretty fast too, able to do 10 mph.
My impressions of them are I hate spiders. Period. These guys are easily on the size order of tarantulas, although their legs aren’t as thick or hairy. Either way I check my boots every morning and keep the hooch cleaned up.
Patrick
Today’s Chuck Norris “fact”: When Chuck Norris goes to donate blood, he declines the syringe, and instead requests a hand gun and a bucket.
August 27th, 2007 at 11:40 pm
These are just replusive looking - they make my skin crawl…
September 5th, 2007 at 7:22 am
Oh yuck- it makes me even prouder of our heroes over there- they have to deal with evil people AND spiders- yuck yuck yuck!
September 5th, 2007 at 4:00 pm
They’re uglier than tarantulas though.
September 7th, 2007 at 5:12 pm
Ok so my daughter sent me a picture of one next to someones boot……..my thought smash it! She sez the spiders like to nap with them…YUCK