We got an email from Chris shortly after arriving in Iraq asking us to find out about Camel Spiders. He said he had been hearing horror stories about these creatures and wanted us to do some research. As they are horrible creatures, they really aren' as bad as all the rumors. I hope I put Chris' mind at ease and sincerely hope he will just stick to his "Barking Tree Spiders".
Here is what I found out...
The camel spider stories began to spread during the 1990-91 Gulf War. Now, with the continued presence of U.S. forces in the Middle East, the stories are becoming legendary. ..Most of the stories on the internet are completely untrue. These creatures are (usually) not dangerous to humans. But, dangerous or not, these creatures are horrifying to encounter. I pity anyone who encounters one for the first time.
Soldier in Iraq bitten by a Camel Spider. Yes, they can bite. If they do, there is always the possibility of infection.
With the internet becoming so much more widely used during this Iraq conflict, rumors are spreading like wildfire. E-mail chain letters with claims, "he/she said his or her friend—or friend of a friend—knew a soldier stationed in Iraq who had said that these camel spider could inject a sleeping soldier with anesthetic, then chew out a chunk of flesh."Webmasters with imagination and flare for the absurd take it to the extreme with claims such as, camel spiders are know to eat dogs or cats.
Most people don't know that the camel spider can also be found in the southwest U.S. and Mexico. While the recent buzz is all about the Middle Eastern camel spider, its North American cousin has no shortage of tall tales.
Soldier in Iraq bitten by a Camel Spider. Yes, they can bite. If they do, there is always the possibility of infection.
With the internet becoming so much more widely used during this Iraq conflict, rumors are spreading like wildfire. E-mail chain letters with claims, "he/she said his or her friend—or friend of a friend—knew a soldier stationed in Iraq who had said that these camel spider could inject a sleeping soldier with anesthetic, then chew out a chunk of flesh."Webmasters with imagination and flare for the absurd take it to the extreme with claims such as, camel spiders are know to eat dogs or cats.
Most people don't know that the camel spider can also be found in the southwest U.S. and Mexico. While the recent buzz is all about the Middle Eastern camel spider, its North American cousin has no shortage of tall tales.
Some common Camel Spider Myths:
1. Camel spiders can move at speeds over 30 MPH, screaming while they run.
2. Camel spiders can be as large as a frisbee.
3. Camel spiders venom is an anesthetic that numbs their prey.
4. Camel spiders can jump three feet high.
5. Camel spiders get there name because they eat the stomachs of camels
THE FACTS
1. Camel spiders top speed - 10 mph.
2. Size: Up to 6 inches
3. They have no venom.
4. They don't jump.
5. Called camel spiders because they live in the desert.
They actually aren't spiders at all, they're solpugids.. Along with spiders, they are members of the class Arachnida.
1. Camel spiders top speed - 10 mph.
2. Size: Up to 6 inches
3. They have no venom.
4. They don't jump.
5. Called camel spiders because they live in the desert.
They actually aren't spiders at all, they're solpugids.. Along with spiders, they are members of the class Arachnida.
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