Camel Spiders: Their Habitats and Presence in the United States

Are you looking to get a camel spider as an exotic pet for your home? You need to know if they are found in your state. So, where do camel spiders live? We give you the complete answer below.

There is a myth that a species of giant spider exists that can grow up to 2 feet and can easily kill a big camel.

These stories directly point toward the camel spiders. You will be relieved to know that the myths are completely bogus and these spiders are not dangerous at all.

But have you ever wondered where these creatures live? Let us find out in this article.

Camel Spiders: What Are They Like?

Before we explore where they are found, let’s first make sure that it is a camel spider that you want.

Camel spiders are fascinating species of solifuges that show the characteristics of both a spider and a scorpion.

They are known by different names, like sun spiders, wind scorpions, and more. Unlike most true spiders, the camel spider doesn’t have a silk and venom gland.

They are pretty big compared to most spiders and can show an average growth of 6-8 inches in length.

They also have large legs and deadly jaws, which can be around 1/3rd of their body’s length.

Camel spider populations thrive in hot and fry environments like deserts and scrublands.

There are a ton of myths attached to them. Some believe that they are so poisonous that they can kill a big camel or horse.

This is totally wrong, as these creatures do not have poison in their bodies. They are neither a threat to camels nor are they a danger to humans.

Are Camel Spiders in The US?

A significant population of camel spiders lives in the southwestern part of the United States. They are used to the arid climate of Arizona.

You can also find camel spiders in Texas, southern Utah, and different regions in California, like Conta Costa, San Joaquin, and others.

Are Camel Spiders in Afghanistan?

Yes, the deserts of the Middle-east are home to some of the biggest camel spider species in the world.

In fact, most of the myths related to camel spiders became popular during the Afgan war.

After the war, people started believing that these spiders lay eggs inside the skin of a camel.

Are Camel Spiders in Australia?

As stated above, they thrive in deserts of the middle-east and the southwestern part of the US, but surprisingly, you won’t find them in Australia.

Apart from that, Antarctica is the only continent that does not have these solfugids.

Where Are Camel Spiders Found?

Camel spiders are usually found in dry and hot areas like deserts and scrublands. Using their ten long pairs of legs, they can move quickly through these terrains at almost 10 miles per hour.

They usually hide under rocks to protect themselves from the heat during the daytime. They are nocturnal hunters; they come out at night to hunt when it gets a little cooler.

Camel spiders don’t migrate; they prefer to live in one area throughout their life.

How Do They Survive in The Desert?

Camel spiders have evolved several tricks to survive in the harsh climate that they call home. Here are a few of these adaptations:

• As mentioned earlier, to survive the deadly heat of the desert, the camel spider usually creeps into the crevices between the rocks during day time.
• Once the sun sets and the temperature goes down, these creatures come out to hunt.
• Since there is no water in the desert, the spider obtains moisture by killing and consuming prey like small lizards, insects, and small snakes. It injects a fluid into its prey that converts them into liquids and then laps up the liquid remains to get both food and moisture in one go.
• These spiders are usually tan and dark brown in color, which helps them to blend into the desert environment to stay safe from predators.
• They have fine hairs on the body, which help them to insulate the deadly desert heat.

Are There Any Other Spiders Commonly Found in Deserts?

Yes, there are several spiders that make deserts their home. Apart from the famous tarantula species, here are a few more you might have heard of:

Black widow spiders

These spiders are usually found around woodpiles, but you can also spot them in all of the major deserts of the US.

Black widow spiders, as the name suggests, are black in color with a reddish-orange spot in the abdomen that looks like an hourglass.

Wolf spiders

Wolf spiders can thrive in almost any and every natural environment. They can survive in deserts, rainforests, suburban areas, lawns, and grasslands.

Some can also be found in high mountains and volcanic lava tubes. Wolf spiders have blackish-brown bodies with long stripes across their entire body.

Dancing white lady spiders

The dancing white lady spider is a type of huntsman spider which mainly found in the Namib desert of Namibia.

They have cream-colored, and their movements resemble dancing and tapping moves.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wrap Up

Camel spiders are well adapted to the harsh climate of the desert. They have hair on the body, which helps to insulate the heat, and the tan color works well to help them blend in with the surroundings.

Since they don’t migrate, the deserts are their permanent home. We hope this article provided useful information regarding camel spiders. Thank you for reading it.

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