If spiders tend to creep you out, then do yourself a favor and leave this page now (Suggested exit options: IKEA Cats or Dogs Are Awesome). But if you want to learn more about the Camel Spider, one of the biggest spiders on Earth, then keep reading. From their incredible size to their legendary bite, here are some shocking Camel Spider facts that will probably freak you out.
Camel Spider Iraq: Another Hazard For Coalition Troops
Insurgents, terrorists, and IEDs are just some of the dangers that coalition soldiers have to worry about in Iraq and Afghanistan. Giant Camel Spiders are common in the Middle East and have even been found hiding in sleeping bags.
The above photo was taken in the desert area outside of Baghdad, Iraq. The two spiders were in a fight to the death. The spider on the bottom has his fangs locked on the torso of the spider above.
Camel Spider Bites Are Nasty, But Not Venomous
Camel Spiders are normally passive, and you should do everything possible to keep them that way. Because when provoked, Camel Spiders can be vicious. Although a Camel Spider bite isn’t poisonous, it’s very painful and prone to bad infections.
Even though they aren’t venomous, their bites are legendary for causing massive amounts of pain and terrible infections. Camel Spiders use digestive fluids to liquefy their victims’ flesh. Hopefully, not your flesh.
Camel Spider vs Scorpion: Guess Who Wins?
The Camel Spider is a skilled fighter and can easily take down another insect of similar size including Scorpions and other large spiders.
Camel Spider Size
Most full-grown Camel Spiders are only about the size of a credit card. But in the Middle East, they often grow larger than 10 inches. In other words, put down the flyswatter and grab a shovel.
Camel Spider Running Speed = 10 MPH!
Camel Spiders are fast! Really fast! Their running speeds have been clocked at 10 miles per hour. The secret to the fast Camel Spider running speed is its trachea. Unlike most spiders, Camel Spiders breathe with a trachea. This allows them to breathe large amounts of oxygen quickly and move faster than most insects their size.
Camel Spiders Are More Common Than You Might Think
Although they grow to their largest size in countries like Iraq and Afghanistan, Camel Spiders don’t just live in the Middle East. They can be found in many areas around the world.
- North America: You can find Camel Spiders in Arizona, California, New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, Mexico and other Western states in the U.S.
- South America: Peru, Chile, Argentina, Paraguay and parts of Brazil.
- Africa: Almost the entire continent.
- Asia: India, China, and the Middle East.
Camel Spiders Don’t Actually Attack Camels
The Camel Spider got its name because they can frequently be found gathered under camels. One of the biggest myths about Camel Spiders is that they will jump onto a camel’s stomach and eat it alive. When in reality, these spiders just gather under camels for the shade.
NERD NOTE: Camel Spiders will chase people but usually not because they want to bite you. They just want to use your shade to escape the hot sun.
The Biggest Bugs In The World
I hope you enjoyed this article on Camel Spider facts. But the Camel Spider is just one of the many enormous insects on Earth. Check out the article The Biggest Bugs In The World to learn more about other giant insects like the Tarantula Hawk, Goliath Beetle, and Giant Burrowing Cockroach.
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