Egyptian Giant Camel Spider

## About

An Egyptian giant camel spider.

The Egyptian giant camel spider ***(Galeodes arabs)*** or just camel spider, is a species of medium-sized arachnid that inhabits the arid regions of Afro-Asia. The camel spider is not actually a spider nor scorpion, instead being apart of its own arachnid order. The species appears similar in appearance to true spiders, sharing the same body plan however, differences are noticeable. The camel spider is distinguished from spiders because of its reduced number of eyes, reduced abdomen and most notably its modified chelicerae (fangs). The chelicerae of the camel spider appear similar in structure to pincers found on scorpions, rather than the chelicerae of true spiders. Unlike most spider species, the camel spider possesses a set of extremely enlarged modified mouthparts known as pedipalps, which are used by the spiders as a form of tactile and sensory communication between it and its environment, similarly in function to the antennae of various insect species. In terms of colouration, the camel spider ranges from more muted greys and browns to more vibrant yellows and oranges, depending on the individual. In most depictions, the Egyptian giant camel spider is represented with a set of deep orange chelicerae, a tan or sandy brown body covered in light hairs, a darker brown or umbre face and a short and narrow greyish-brown abdomen. Despite rumours claiming the arachnid is as large as a human, in reality it only reaches 15cm (6in) in length and weighs only 57g (6oz).

## Diet

The Egyptian giant camel spider is a carnivorous species that consumes smaller invertebrates, rodents, small birds and even reptiles such as lizards. The name 'camel' spider is derived from the myth that the species preyed upon camels. It was said that the camel spider would wait underneath a camel, eventually jumping onto its underside and disemboweling the camel, before eating its stomach and supposedly laying its eggs in its skin. This is an obvious negligent dramatisation. Whilst eating, the camel spider will shift its chelicerae in a movement that mirrors chewing, eventually using digestive fluids in order to dissolve the animal quickly, before ingesting whatever remains.

## Conservation Status

The threats of the camel spider are not well understood, as the species has currently not been evaluated by the IUCN.

## Range and Population

Egyptian giant camel spiders inhabit a wide range that extends from western Asia in Iran and Türkiye, to the Middle East/Arabian Peninsular and through much of Northern Africa such as the countries of Egypt and Libya. Here, the camel spider is known to inhabit vast stretches of arid land. Biomes it inhabits include not only deserts, but also shrublands, savannas and grasslands. The exact population of the Egyptian giant camel spider is unknown and it is also unknown whether it is in decline or whether it is stable.

## Behaviour

Due to the camel spider inhabiting dry and arid environments, the species is nocturnal hiding in their burrows in the day, as to avoid the hot Sun and diurnal predators. When threatened camel spiders will typically run away. They can run at exceptionally high speeds, reaching an estimated 16km p/h (10mi p/h) whilst at their top speed. Their speed can be attributed to their utilisation of the trachea in order to resporate, rather than true spiders, which breathe using both the trachea and lungs. Though this speed is incredibly among most arachnids, this too was highly exaggerated, similarly to the camel spider's diet, with some saying they can reach speeds of 48km p/h (30mi p/h). If unable to escape, the camel spider may emit a hissing sound, aiming to intimidate its attacker. In its virality, the camel spider was said to scream loudly whilst chasing down American soldiers stationed in Iraq. This is obviously untrue. In a final method of defense when threatened, the camel spider may bite. Though the bite of the camel spider is not venomous, it is still extremely painful. If the skin is broken upon strike, the wound is likely to develop an infection.

### Relationship with Humans

According to many sources, the Egyptian giant camel spider began to become popular and well known during the United State's invasion of Iraq during 2003. During the war, a mass email was sent out on the 4th of April 2004. The email read as follows; *"From someone stationed in Baghdad ... It'll give you a better idea of what our troops are dealing with."* It was accompanied by the image to the right. After this image gained notoriety on the internet, rumours began spreading widely about the species. Some rumours have already been discussed and debunked previously in this article however, others include; camel spiders chased the soldiers through the desert at high speeds and that the camel spider can jump 1.2-1.8m (4-6ft) vertically. The most extreme of these rumours surrounded the spider's venom. It was said that not only was the venom so toxic that it caused flesh and muscle to corrode, but also that the venom acted as an anesthetic, allowing the arachnid to bite and chew on its human victims undetected. For the first of the rumours we can conclude that when these camel spider supposedly chased soldiers, they were in reality seeking out shelter. As the soldiers ran, the camel spiders did too, keeping underneath the shadows created by the soldier's bodies in order to avoid the Sun. In the second rumour it is said that camel spiders can jump exceedingly high, when in reality their jumps are rather unremarkable. As for the final rumours, it has been continually proved that not only do camel spiders not possess venom, but they also do not prey on humans. Though this remains one of the most influential interactions between these arachnids and soldiers, the strained relationship may go as far back as WW1. British soldiers stationed in Al-Abū Qīr, Egypt, would stage fights between camel spiders which they called jerrymanders, betting on the winner. Similarly, their counterparts stationed in Libya would demonstrates the same bets between camel spiders and scorpions. The earliest known large interaction between humans and camel spiders dates back far further, in fact it stems to 1779. In this year, Anton August Heinrich Lichtenstein (1753-1816), would theorise that the mice that plagued the Philistines depicted in the Old Testament, where actually camel spiders. The rumours that appeared from this email were all obviously embellished to an informed individual however, to someone who has never heard of a camel spider, they seem true. Another factor that likely played into the hysteria surrounding this email and image, is the Western public's complete ignorance for information surrounding Eastern oriental regions such as the Middle East.

## In Captivity

Surprisingly, many have an affinity for camel spiders as household pets. Apparently, the species can be extremely approachable and friendly if tamed correctly. They have seen a rise in popularity in the exotic pet community, as they are unique and charismatic arachnids. They are seldom-found in zoos, as they require extreme attention and a specialised replication of their wild lifestyle.

## Sources

* Galeodes arabs | Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galeodes\_arabs
* Solifugae | Wikipedia (Section 9) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solifugae
* Myth: Too Many 'Camel Spider' Tall Tales | Burke Museum - https://www.burkemuseum.org/collections-and-research/biology/arachnology-and-entomology/spider-myths/myth-too-many-camel-spider
* Camel Spiders | NAT GEO - https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/invertebrates/facts/camel-spider?loggedin=true&rnd=1671661372050
* Camel Spider: Facts & Myths | Live Science - https://www.livescience.com/40025-camel-spiders-facts.html
* What is the Habitat of a Camel Spider | Pets on Mom. Com- https://animals.mom.com/habitat-camel-spider-1800.html