Camel Spider: scary, but not poisonous

Camel Spider - unscientific, but got accustomed name representative arachnids belonging to the class of the phalanx or solpugi.In the Russian language is sometimes used the name bihorka and in English - the wind scorpion, t. To. He is able to run at a speed of 53 m / s.This spider inhabits almost all desert places, with the exception of Australia.

camel spider has impressive dimensions.The structure and its way of life combine signs of high development (tracheal system) and primitive features (anatomy limb dismemberment of the body).It has an awesome appearance thanks to Shaggy and large chelicerae (like claws).They are provided with teeth, and open in a vertical plane.The body length can reach up to 7 cm in color is dominated by yellowish and brownish-black tones.The trunk and limbs are covered with bristles and hairs of different length and stiffness.

Abdomen large, is composed of 10 segments, the first of which is the genital opening, covered with side flaps.Pedipalps (analogues of the feet) with tactile appendages on the ends without claws.With their help, moves, captures and holds the prey camel spider.Photo shows it in all its "glory."Spider venom glands representative solpugovyh not.Bite through human skin it can, and when will the infection, there may be complications.

Camel Spider is able to move at high speed, including vertical surfaces.Frightened by a phalanx can jump in and grab something chelicerae.In the desert areas it often smelled of camel, hence such an unusual name.In case of danger it takes a defensive posture-threatening, like some spiders.Photo shows the front part of the body is raised, disclosed claws put forward, the front legs are raised in the direction of the enemy.Some species also emit a squeak or chirp by rubbing chelicerae.

camel spider - a predator of night, in the daytime its activity is reduced.In the daytime, he prefers to sit in shelters under rocks, in burrows.Light at night attracts many species solpug.They feed on the spider by any insects, small rodents in general, all those with whom they are able to cope.Large individuals are attacked even on lizards, small rodents, scorpions and chicks.Their gourmand has become a byword, they literally can load up to the state until the burst belly, but this is only possible in captivity.Under natural conditions, after eating solpuga not able to catch up with the victim.His prey camel spider instantly grabs hold her tears, crushes chelicerae, wets the digestive juices and sucks.

Mating usually carried out at night and lasts for several minutes.Male always active, unlike females, which remains substantially stationary.When he pours fertilization on soil spermatophore, chelicerae transfers it to the genital opening partner.After some time, the fertilized female becomes mobility, and if the male does not run away, it can be eaten by it.

After mating, the female is particularly voracious.After some time, she pulls out a burrow and lays her eggs with embryo development, of which soon appear young.They can not move, becausecovered with a kind of film, and the articulation of the body has not yet developed.After 2.5 weeks the first molt occurs as a result of which the dismembered and cure covers, there is an ability to move.Some sources imply that the mother guards the offspring for some time, bringing them food, but it is not yet proven.And it's not the only issue related to the camel spider that requires a response.