» CAMEL SPIDER MYTH

The Camel Spider --aka wind scorpion-- is not a spider or a scorpion. It does not eat human flesh, has no venom at all, doesn't jump over two feet high and is not the size of a frisbee.

We rather shall begin calling this creature with its proper description : Arachnid Solifugae. "Solifugae" means, in Latin, "flee from the sun", which this specimen actually does. This fact explains the peculiar myth about Camel Spiders chasing humans across the desert; they do so, but in order to hide away from the sun, and the shadow men project may be the only one around. The name "Camel" comes from the real fact it is common to see a Camel Spider near a dead camel. Myth says this creature kills camels to enter their stomach and lay its eggs inside. Of course, this is false. Camel spiders are found around dead animals because of the number of preys a dead body in the desert can gather, so these arachnids just have to hide in the dead camel's shadow and wait for them.

This Arachnid is said to jump over two feet high, but the truth is it is not able to jump, not even a little. Yet, it is in fact very quick, and can kill a scorpion despite the venom and tail-quick-as-whip scorpions have to defend themselves. The Camel Spider has no venom but powerful claws instead, which it uses to destroy its prey into pieces and suck their liquids in order to survive in the hot desert.

THESE ARE THE FACTS :

1. The Camel spider reaches ten miles per hour but cannot travel faster than that.

2. Its size can rarely reach 6 inches.

3. They do not kill camels, cows, or humans; they have no venom.

4. They do not run for men unafraid, just try to reach their shadows.

5. They cannot jump.

6. They are not spiders but solifugids.