Solifugid Carnage

Subject: Bug Carnage
Location: North-central Montana near Havre
August 24, 2012 8:50 pm
Stepped on this scary-looking critter in my bedroom in North-central Montana this August. I’m sure I’ve seen those frightening mandibles somewhere before.
Signature: Sandra R

Hi Sandra,
Thank you for recognizing that this is carnage.  Though it was frightening looking, this Solifugid was perfectly harmless to you because of its small size as well as its lack of venom.  Unlike other arachnids like spiders and scorpions, Solifugids, which are commonly called both Sun Spider or Winds Scorpions and Camel Spiders in the Middle East, lack any venomous fangs or stingers.  If Solifugids were larger, like the size of a German Shepherd as one Desert Storm veteran pointed out in a largely exaggerated account in our archives, they would pose a threat.  Interestingly, they have never, to the best of our knowledge, been the subjects of a horror film, though many of their characteristics can be seen in CGA movie monsters.  The mandibles are able to open in all directions, as this photo from our archive demonstrates.

Horror Movie Camel Spider
Subject: Horror Movie “Camel Spiders”
August 27, 2012 1:08 am
Here’s the IMDB link:  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1618372/  A friend of mine saw the movie and he said it was horrible.
Signature: Jim

Thanks Jim,
The tagline for the movie is sensational.  It reads “Based on actual creatures that for years have tormented our armed forces in the Middle East, these creatures have now invaded the southwestern deserts of the United States.”   We imagine that many of our service personnel have been horrified upon first viewing the large Solifugids from the Middle East, known as Camel Spiders, which are reported to have a leg span of five inches or more.   Camel Spiders might have mandibles big enough to bite the careless handler, but they are still lacking in venom, hence they are basically harmless to people.  They are formidable predators, however, and anything small enough to be captured will most likely be eaten in a most gory manner.