Introduction:
Common Name: Wind scorpion,
solifugid, sun spider, camel spider
Order: Solifugae
 Description: Solfugids or Wind scorpion, are not technically spiders but belong
to an order of arachnids known for their speed and their large,
forward-pointing chelicerae, or biting fangs. They live in tropical or
subtropical dry areas of the Americas, Asia, and Africa. Worldwide,
there are about 900 known species of wind scorpions, and in North America
there are 120. They were the subject of the urban legend going around
about soldiers in Iraq being chased and eaten by large spiders. Wind
scorpions are from 1 to 5 cm long. Most are yellowish to brown in
colour, and have four pairs of legs. The pedipalps are thin and used
like feelers. The first pair of legs are more slender than the others
and act as sense organs. The mouth parts (chelicerae) of wind scorpions
are formed into large
 jaws
that work vertically and project forward from the mouth. The shape of
the head with its enormous jaws is quite distinctive. The males often
have a more slender body, which is often longer in the males than in the
females and with their longer legs males look bigger.
Twenty-six species are reported from Texas. Most of the Texas
species belong to the family Eremobatidae. The largest genus is
Eremobates. In this family, the front of the head is straight across
and the first pair of legs have one or two claws. The species are
difficult to identify. Many are localized or have records from only a
few locations.
Habitat:
They can move very fast and run "like the
wind", hence the name. They may burrow into the sand or hide under
stones. Most species of wind scorpion are actually
nocturnal, but they are often attracted to light.
Prey:
They feed by using their powerful
curved jaws that project out the front. Wind scorpions are
rapidly-moving predators that readily attack prey. They feed on almost
any invertebrate and have been known to feed on lizards and other small
vertebrates.
Life Cycle:
Females bury their eggs and some guard them. Wind scorpions
are short lived, probably surviving only one year.
Venom:
Also known as sunspiders, windspiders, and
sunscorpions; they do not have venom glands but are capable of biting.
Present throughout the western and southern parts of the state, they are
not known or at least uncommon in east Texas. They are primarily found
in deserts and dry areas.
Information
and pictures were taken from children's projects and where credited to that
child does not claim to be original information. Where possible, permission
to reproduce has been sought. Any infringement of copyright is purely
unintentional.
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