Camel spiders are one of the fastest running arthropods. Although they have four pairs of legs, they run using only three pairs. The first pair of legs or pedipalpi are held up in front of them and used in a similar manner to the antennae of insects. They have very long, silky setae and are constantly moving in order to locate and pick-up prey. Despite their fearsome appearance and their strong bite, solifugids are unlikely to harm humans. In the past they were considered venomous and extremely dangerous but it is now thought that the only risk of injury resulting from them is caused by shock or infection following a bite. There is no evidence of venom in any part of their body.
Scary looking
Camel spiders are nocturnal predators of other arthropods including scorpions and are voracious feeders. Some species kill and feed on lizards and it is speculated that others kill mice and birds. They rely solely on their speed and stealth to catch their prey. In desert areas they are often attracted to lights at night in search of food and their appearance can cause alarm if they enter tents. It is rare to see them during the winter months and they are thought to hide or hibernate during cold periods.
BFM
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[quote=“Shin-Gua”]BFM
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If you want to see big spiders come on over to my house in the Shida Area… when we got the place (actually have a front yard) the yard had not been taken care of for years so we cleaned it up, planted grass, put koi in the pond, but now we have these huge spiders popping up everywhere… Terrible looking creatures, some almost the size of my hand… I have one that sits on the opposite side of my koi pond everynight that just scares the shit out of me… I dont like to kill them unless they are in the house though since for the first time since I have been in taiwan I have seen not one of those huge roaches, but I am seriously beginning to think about which might be better!! Giant spiders or Giant roaches??
[quote]I am seriously beginning to think about which might be better!! Giant spiders or Giant roaches??
[/quote]
Those big fast-moving spiders give me the heebie-jeebies for sure, but although they have big nasty teeth, they don’t seem to bite. I’ve caught them in my hands once or twice (kind of self-imposed aversion therapy). But they certainly do demolish roaches and I’d far rather have a few spiders than a bunch of roaches.
I just walked out to my back yard, flipped on the lights, and I sware, they could film a movie here… 4 spiders go scurrying everywhere, so damn big they made the leaves rustle… I have even had nightmares about the things… Only 29 and about to die of a heart attack.
[quote]By the way, do you or anyone else happen to know the name for these creatures or where I might be able to find it??
[/quote]
Try a search. I know Almas John posted some links not so long ago.
Out in DaShan (near Taichung) for a party. Wlking through a bamboo grove, spotted a spider in his web - immediately thought I was having depth perception problems. Given how big the spider LOOKED, I assumed it had to be much closer to me than it appeared.
I asked other passersby to look at the spider. Most common comment:
“Look at the size of that fucking spider!”
I suggested saddling it up and riding it home.
Yellow, red and black body about the size of two fists. Leg span at least a foot, maybe two (front to back). Web up in the tree about a meter square.
Biggest danm crawly I’ve ever seen. Way bigger than any damn tarantula. Anyone know what these things are?
