The camel spider, an arachnid known by the scientific order Solifugae, has captured public imagination through exaggerated tales regarding its size. Often called sun spiders or wind scorpions, these desert dwellers have been the subject of sensational claims that depict them as monstrous predators. This widespread fascination, often fueled by misleading photographs and folklore, has obscured the biological facts about the creature’s actual dimensions.
The Reality of Their Size
The true size of a camel spider is less dramatic than the myths suggest, though they are still among the larger arachnids. Their overall length is typically measured by the body and the outstretched legs, which creates the illusion of greater bulk. The largest species, often found in the Middle East, can achieve a leg span of up to 15 to 20 centimeters (about 6 to 8 inches).
This maximum span is roughly the size of a large human hand or a small side plate. The actual body length, measured from the jaws to the end of the abdomen, is much smaller, generally maxing out at about 5 to 7 centimeters (2 to 3 inches) in the largest specimens. Most of the more than 1,000 known species are considerably smaller than these maximum figures.
Anatomy and Appearance
Camel spiders appear large due to their body structure and specialized appendages. Unlike true spiders, the Solifugae belong to their own distinct order of arachnids, characterized by two main body parts: the prosoma and the opisthosoma. The opisthosoma, or abdomen, is segmented and often appears disproportionately large, giving the creature a bulkier profile.
The most striking feature contributing to their look is the massive chelicerae, or jaws, located at the front of the body. These powerful, pincer-like jaws are used for cutting and dismembering prey and can make up as much as a third of the animal’s body length. They possess four pairs of walking legs, but the front appendages, called pedipalps, are long and thick. These pedipalps are often mistaken for an extra pair of legs and are used primarily as sensory organs and to capture prey.
Common Misconceptions
The exaggerated size of the camel spider is tied to misconceptions about its speed, aggression, and danger level. One common myth is that these arachnids can run at speeds exceeding 25 miles per hour (40 kilometers per hour). The reality is their top speed is closer to 10 miles per hour (16 kilometers per hour), which is fast for an arachnid but slower than the folklore suggests.
Another myth is that they are highly venomous, a belief stemming from confusion with true spiders or scorpions. Camel spiders are non-venomous and do not possess venom glands. Their bite is not medically dangerous, though it can be painful due to the mechanical force of their large jaws. The story that they aggressively chase humans is also a misunderstanding of their behavior. When a camel spider appears to be pursuing a person, it is often running toward the moving shadow for protection from the sun or fleeing a perceived threat.