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How Dangerous is a Camel Spider Bite?

Candace Goforth Desantis
Candace Goforth Desantis

A camel spider bite is not directly life threatening to humans. The bite can, however, be painful and leave a fierce-looking wound. The greatest risk associated with a bite is infection. It is advisable to seek medical attention if a lesion's appearance worsens over time.

The creature known as a "camel spider" is not actually a spider, nor is it a scorpion. It is a different but related type of arachnid called a solpugid. Its habitat is the desert terrain of the Middle East, parts of Africa, and the southwestern United States. The camel spider has been called several other names, including sun spider, wind spider, and wind scorpion.

A camel spider is a relatively small type of arachnid called a solpugid, whose bite is not life threatening to humans.
A camel spider is a relatively small type of arachnid called a solpugid, whose bite is not life threatening to humans.

The fear of camel spiders comes largely due to their large chelicerae, the fang-like appendages near their mouths that are used to grasp and chew food. These chopping chelicerae are why solpugids are also known as "beard cutters." While solpugids are not venomous, their chelicerae can penetrate human skin. In most cases, a camel spider usually only bites if it feels threatened.

A camel spider may feed upon small lizards.
A camel spider may feed upon small lizards.

Like any puncture wound, infection of a camel spider bite is possible if bacteria enters the broken skin. Only 9 percent of spider bites of any kind result in bacterial infections, however. It is important to properly cleanse any affected tissue to prevent illness.

Sensational stories about camel spider bites flourished beginning in 2003, with the presence of U.S. troops in the Middle East during the Iraqi conflict. A photograph showing a soldier holding up a giant camel spider circulated on the Internet. In fact, the image actually was of two camel spiders linked together. Other photographs purported to show a camel spider bite swollen and oozing blood. Those bite lesions were likely from more dangerous, venomous spiders; there is no indication they were caused by a camel spider bite.

Myths have accused camel spiders of preying on dogs and cats. There are also stories of solpugids eating the stomachs out of camels. One rumor even suggests these arachnids can run 30 miles per hour (48.2 kph), chase people down, and attack them.

In fact, camel spiders are actually relatively small. Their diet consists mainly of insects, scorpions, and small lizards. They do move quickly, at 10 miles per hour (16 kph), but are not aggressive toward humans.

Camel spiders may be found in the desert terrain of the Middle East.
Camel spiders may be found in the desert terrain of the Middle East.

The word solpugid means "those that flee from the sun." The name relates to the fact that the camel spider tries to escape sunlight. It runs into the shadows cast by people as they walk. Witnesses who have observed this behavior may have misinterpreted it as aggression.

Discussion Comments

bear78

@ZipLine-- I agree with you. I have heard about several soldiers who were hospitalized from infected camel spider bites. But they ignored the bite for days until it got infected and the infection spread!

ZipLine

@fBoyle-- Most of it is exaggerated and I think the media has a lot to do with it. I've been to Iraq, as well as Egypt and the largest one I came across was about four inches. Anything larger than that must be a different type of spider.

It is true that these spiders are really fast and in cities, you may find them closer to people than you would ever in the desert. But their bite is not any more dangerous than say a wolf spider bite.

All spider bites have a risk of infection and if you don't clean it up properly and keep it germ-free, it can cause complications. But even a complication isn't going to kill you as long as you go to the hospital, have it cleaned and take your antibiotics.

fBoyle

A friend of mine came back from Iraq and he had similar stories to tell about camel spiders. He said that they are very big and could probably eat a kitten.

Why are there so many stories about these spiders if it's not true? I'm sure there have been American troops bit by them in Iraq and Afghanistan. I wonder if any of them had any severe complications from a camel spider bite?

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    • A camel spider is a relatively small type of arachnid called a solpugid, whose bite is not life threatening to humans.
      By: tomatito26
      A camel spider is a relatively small type of arachnid called a solpugid, whose bite is not life threatening to humans.
    • A camel spider may feed upon small lizards.
      By: katoosha
      A camel spider may feed upon small lizards.
    • Camel spiders may be found in the desert terrain of the Middle East.
      By: bogdanserban
      Camel spiders may be found in the desert terrain of the Middle East.
    • Camel spiders occupy desert regions.
      By: george kuna
      Camel spiders occupy desert regions.