How to Identify Wind Scorpions

Some bugs are so unfamiliar that they seem otherwordly. One order of arachnida in particular has been the subject or both initial surprise and enduring urban legends. Solifugae, also known as wind scorpions, or camel spiders, are distinctive and impressive creatures that can shock and amaze on a first encounter. They are not, however, as terrifying as they first appear.

Instructions

1. Wind scorpions exist in warm and arid habitats, which means that they can be found in most every desert except Australia, in shallow sand dunes, under rocks or beneath desert scrub. They might also be found in grassland or forest if the climate is to their liking.

2. Wind scorpions sport two large chelicerae, the pointed appendages which function as their mouthparts. What makes wind scorpions unique, however, is that their are chelicerae are disproportionally large to the size of their bodies. Meanwhile, their pedipalps, two sensory organs, are so large that they could easily be mistaken for an extra set of legs.

3. Wind scorpions, in most regions of the world, don't grow to be more than one to two inches in length. In the Middle East, however, wind scorpions up to a half-foot in length are not uncommon. In that region, wind scorpions are also known as camel spiders, in reference both to their supposed feeding habits on camels (they actually feed on crickets, beetles and maybe even lizards), and their humped profile.

4. Most of the 1100 species of wind scorpions are nocturnal, which explains why they are generally only found in the shade during the day. At night, however, they make up for lost time and scurry along the sand at a very impressive speed (for anthropods), up to 10mph.

5. Wind scorpions can be mighty aggressive in their hunt, but are otherwise shy creatures around humans. But their preference for shade, Solifugae is Latin for "flees from the sun," and may give off the wrong signals; they may sprint for the shade of a tent, in what appears to be an attack.

Tips & Warnings

• Wind scorpions enjoy a great many legends about them, thanks especially to reports being sent back from soldiers in the Middle East. Contrary to popular belief, wind scorpions are not venomous, make no noise and do not eat flesh.

Resources

• Straight Dope: Camel Spiders