Arachnophobia

Now I know what you're thinking... "not another freaking spider post!" but this is technically not a spider so I get off on a technicality.
During my research on the Daring Jumping Spider, I learned some very disturbing news. Las Vegas is home to the disgusting critter on the right. This is a Solifugid (a.k.a. Camel Spider, Wind Scorpion, Sun Spider, etc.). They are part of the Arachnida class along with spiders, scorpions, and pseudo-scorpions.


Camel Spiders gained some notoriety during the Iraq war and some of you may have seen this picture. A lot of misinformation has arisen surrounding them due to their ominous appearance and unusual habits. As you may have guessed from the name Solifugid, they are mostly nocturnal and avoid sunlight. Soldiers came into contact with them frequently because their encampments offered a lot of shade. They also hiss when provoked and can run very fast (possibly up to about 10mph).
Some reports from Iraq claim; they can run 35mph, are poisonous, produce an anesthetizing chemical so you don't feel it when they eat you as you sleep, eat the stomach of camels until their intestines fall out, grow to the size of a frisbee. These are all untrue. They do have a very nasty bite that leaves a ragged open wound prone to infection but, as with most arachnids, this will usually happen only if you are messing with them.
The species found in Vegas is smaller than it's Iraqi cousin but equally ugly. Many people find them in their garages. Needless to say, we will definitely be taking advantage of the fumigation service that is offered with our new house! And if you are feeling pretty comfortable here in California, you should know that they are here too. There are two species that cover most of western North America. You don't see too many of them in O.C. but they are nearby in the more arid regions.