Camel Spider

Common Myths and Beliefs Associated with the Camel Spiders

Rumors about camel spiders are almost everywhere. In fact, you can read some write ups in the internet that discuss the danger of this creature. However, scientific researchers prove that some information’s are true and some are not. We all know that some spiders are dangerous. They may contain deadly substances in their body that can spoil a person. Conversely, a camel spider is not a typical spider if you may think. Camel spiders can be found on tropical countries. These creatures usually live under rocks and sand. If you will observe and compare these camel spiders to other breed of spiders, you will somehow see a big difference between the two. A typical spider uses their web silk glands as their nesting place. Moreover, they use the web to trap their prey. On the other hand, camel spiders do not use nor produce silk glands.

As mentioned earlier, these spiders live on tropical countries like the Northern part of Africa. They do not use or set up traps in order to catch their pray. Camel spiders are fast crawlers. They use their speed in order to catch up with their desired prey. Unlike common spiders, they suffocate their prey by covering it using their web once it lands on the trap. Camel spiders on the other hand use their powerful jaw in order to crush their victim. A common spider has eight legs while camel spiders have ten legs. Some people mistook these creatures as another type of scorpion. The appearance and the structural features of a camel spider is more of a scorpion. However, they do not have stings and pincers.

Many stories had been told that these creatures are extremely dangerous. As mentioned a while ago, some of them are not. Here are some myths and stories about the behavior of the camel spiders.

·        Camel spiders can grow big as a plate

The size of these creatures is normally 1 – 4 inches with a 15 cm legs if stretched.

·        Camel spiders only eat camels

These creatures are considered carnivorous. However, they only eat small species like insects, spiders and lizards. Despite of their powerful jaw, a camel spider cannot spoil a camel.

·        Camel spiders use deadly poison to kill their prey

As mentioned earlier, they use their jaws to kill their victim.

·        Camel spiders crawling speed is 25 mph

Their speed is about a mile per hour.

·        Camel spiders stalk humans

These creatures are attracted to light sources like flashlights, headlight and fire. Some camel spiders took advantage of the dark and usually hunt at night. With their speed and size, they can attack their prey in no time. Moreover, their body is full of hair that serves as their sense motor. It is advisable for tourist and campers to avoid playing their lights when they are in the desert.