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0801/ Camel Spider

by super admin

What the heck are camel spiders? I decided to look them up so that I might be prepared for the exotic creatures of the Gobi desert. This is what I found:

• They call them camel spiders because they eat the stomachs of camels.
• They attach themselves to the under belly of camels and lay eggs under the skin.
• They can traverse desert sand at speeds up to 25 miles per hour, making screaming noises as they run.
• They can jump 4 to 6 feet straight up in the air.
• They will chase you down like a hungry lion.
• If they bite you, the flesh and muscle fall off, leaving a hole.
• They are venomous, and their venom contains a powerful anesthetic that numbs their victims (thus allowing them to gnaw away at living, immobilized animals without being noticed).

These are all myths. They had me freaked out for a minute. Everyone loves monster stories don’t they? The reality is:

The camel spider isn’t really a spider but it is not a scorpion either. It is related to BOTH the spiders and the scorpions, and it belongs to its own group of animals. This large arachnid looks like a huge hairy spider and is unique to the desert. It can be as long as 6 inches across!

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2 Responses to “Camel Spider”

Ally
March 9th, 2007 at 3:51 pm
I can totally relate to the horror stories of the “camel spider” I lived in Saudi Arabia for 6 years and heard all the same stories! Never saw one in my shadow. Thankfully! Good Luck. I really enjoy reading your blog. Have a great race on Sunday!
Donna
March 9th, 2007 at 5:13 pm
Thanks Ally. I think you might have been the only one brave enough to read the entry. Thanks for the well wishes too. Are there any other desert creatures you think I should know about??

by super admin

2 Responses to “Camel Spider”

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