So-called “camel spiders,” officially known by their order Solifugae, are native residents of the United States. These arachnids, also called sun spiders or wind scorpions, are found across the nation’s dry, arid regions, particularly in the Southwest. They are recognizable by their large, segmented bodies and disproportionately large chelicerae, or jaws, which they use to capture prey. Despite their frightening appearance, they are a common, though often misunderstood, part of the desert ecosystem.
Are Solifugae True Spiders?
The Solifugae are members of the class Arachnida, which places them in the same group as spiders, ticks, and scorpions, but they are not true spiders. True spiders belong to the order Araneae, while camel spiders belong to the distinct order Solifugae. This taxonomic separation is based on several distinct anatomical differences.
A true spider possesses spinnerets for silk production and a narrow connection called a pedicel between its two main body sections (the cephalothorax and abdomen). Solifugae lack both the pedicel and the ability to produce silk, giving them a broad connection between their two body segments. Their most defining feature is their massive pair of chelicerae, which can be up to one-third of their body length. These jaws are used for crushing and sawing their prey, a different method than the venom injection utilized by most true spiders.
US Distribution and Preferred Habitat
Solifugae are well-established in the US, primarily inhabiting the arid and semi-arid landscapes of the Southwestern states. Native species are found across Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, and California, where the climate provides the hot, dry conditions they require. Their presence is an extension of their global distribution, which favors desert and scrubland environments worldwide, excluding Australia and Antarctica.
These animals are highly adapted to life in the desert, often having fine hairs on their bodies that help insulate them from the heat. During the scorching daytime hours, they typically seek refuge by digging burrows in the sand or hiding under rocks, logs, and other debris. Solifugae are generally nocturnal hunters, emerging at night when temperatures are cooler to pursue their prey, though some species are known to be active during the day.
Debunking Myths About Speed and Danger
Camel spiders are the subject of many exaggerated stories, leading to significant misinformation about their size, speed, and danger. One persistent myth is that they are venomous and pose a serious threat to humans. In reality, Solifugae are non-venomous arachnids and do not possess any venom-delivery apparatus.
Their primary defense and hunting tool is their powerful jaws, which can inflict a painful bite if they are provoked or handled, but the wound is not medically significant beyond the potential for secondary infection. The exaggerated claims about their size are also unfounded; while some of the largest species can reach a body length of up to 3 inches, their overall size including legs is typically between 3 and 6 inches, not the foot-long monsters of folklore.
Another common belief is that these arachnids can run at speeds of 25 miles per hour, chasing people and animals. While they are among the fastest arachnids, their maximum speed is realistically around 10 miles per hour. The perception that they chase people is due to their instinctive behavior of running toward any shadow to seek shade and escape the intense desert sun, which can mistakenly appear as a pursuit. As beneficial predators, they primarily feed on insects, small rodents, and lizards, helping to keep local pest populations in check.