Subject: What type of critter is this?
Location: South California dessert-Imperial Valley
August 21, 2015 12:27 pm
Hello from the Imperial Valley’s dessert area of southern California. Brawley CA to be exact. My name is Al and I would like to know if you can please help in identifying this critter. My 5 year old daughter found it while we were walking at the park one night. I have seen a couple of scorpions crawling here and there but I don’t believe I have ever seen this type of critter before. Your response will be appreciated. Thank you.
Signature: Al
Dear Al,
This fierce predator is a Solifugid, commonly called a Sun Spider or Wind Scorpion, but unlike its venomous Arachnid relatives, the Solifugid does not have a venomous bite or sting. A large Solifugid might give a person a painful bite if it is carelessly handled, but despite that, it is considered harmless.
Thank you very much Mr.Marlos for responding ! And a very quick response indeed. Yes like I wrote earlier my 5 year old daughter was the one to see it first. She will be starting kinder next month and this will be one of her first lesson in the crawling critters world. I will explain to her your expert response. I have encountered a couple of scorpions in two different ocassions at this particular park this past year. I have just let them go their way. This park is near a river with fields all around. The color of these two scorpions were yellowish/tan, about 4 to 5 inches long. I did a little research but still do not know what species they are. A bark scorpion maybe? Again thank you very much for your help in identifying this critter. I have saved your link to show my son and daughter .