Do you have camel spiders in your garden and want to figure out a natural solution to eliminate them? Read this article to know what eats camel spiders and how to get rid of them.
Camel spiders, also known as solifugids, are evasive arachnids native to deserts and arid regions. They are thought to have around 1,100 species.
These spiders differ from true spiders and have an entirely separate order within the class Arachnida in phylum Arthropoda.
They are preyed upon by scorpions, bats, and toads. But that’s not the end of the story – read on to learn why only these creatures hunt them!
What Are Camel Spiders?
Camel spiders, also known as wind scorpions and sun spiders, look similar to spiders but are not spiders. They are small in size and have eight legs.
As mentioned earlier, they belong to a separate order, Solifugae, within the Arachnida class.
Unlike true spiders, camel spiders cannot generate silk, and neither do they have venom glands to capture their prey. Instead, they rely on their incredible speed and powerful bite.
They are most often found in deserts and arid regions. These critters can move at 10 miles per hour, which has earned them the name ‘Kalahari Ferraris.’
Which Predators Feed on Camel Spiders?
Camel spiders are an agile species with a deadly bite. They are nocturnal and avoid going out during the day to escape the intense heat.
Other nocturnal creatures like bats, scorpions, and toads are also out and about during the same hours as them and prey on camel spiders.
Bats can track our crawly friends through echolocation and hunt them. Similarly, scorpions and some desert toads can easily overpower and prey on camel spiders.
Starvation is yet another major threat that can kill camel spiders. While they keep a bit of fat reserve, it is easy not to find any prey for days in the desert, which is why many of them end up dead due to starvation.
Can You Eat Camel Spiders?
Among Arachnids, some species are categorized as edible for human consumption. Several species of Tarantula are known to be considered delicacies.
However, as far as camel spiders are concerned, there’s no report or record of if they are edible. But since camel spiders are not venomous or poisonous, they might be palatable if nothing else is available.
How Do They Defend Themselves?
Camel spiders have incredible speed. They move at a speed of 10mph, which is relatively very high for a small creature (around 6 inches in size.)
They are known to quickly zig-zag in the desert sand. They have an incredible metabolic system and can run tirelessly through the desert if they have enough stored food.
Sun spiders also have very sharp teeth and painful bites. They are known to cut their prey apart with their sharp jaws. Hence they may also use their teeth to defend against predators and potential danger.
How Powerful is Their Bite?
The jaws of camel spiders are around one-third of their body size. Unlike normal spiders, they don’t produce venom or silk to capture their prey.
But they make up for it with their incredible speed and vicious bite. Their chelicerae (the arachnid equivalent of jaws) are lined with razor-sharp teeth and sensory organs, giving them a high bite force. They use this to cut their prey apart.
But they don’t eat the whole prey raw. Instead, they insert enzymes into the prey’s wounds which eventually liquefy the parts making consumption easier.
What Do Camel Spiders Eat?
Camel spiders are carnivorous arachnids and prey on lizards, beetles, small birds, snakes, etc.
They can very well feed on prey much larger than their own size. These creepy crawlies will feed on whatever prey is available in abundance in their environment.
Are They Dangerous To Humans or Camels?
Contrary to several camel spider myths, they are not a danger to humans. If one of them is chasing a human, it’s most likely seeking shade in its shadow to remain cool.
Even though they are predatory, camel spiders will not feed on large animals like camels or humans.
But their bite can tear the skin and will be excruciatingly painful. So it’s best to stay away from their bite, and if you find them around you, use sticky traps and other methods to remove them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the predator of camel spiders?
Camel spiders are nocturnal arachnids and move out of their burrows in the night to hunt prey. Thus other nocturnal creatures prey on camel spiders.
Bats use echolocation for hunting them, and some scorpions and desert toads that are larger in size can easily overpower and prey on camel spiders.
What are camel spiders afraid of
Camel spiders avoid sunlight and are nocturnal, i.e., they hunt for prey during nighttime. During the day, camel spiders hide beneath rocks or deep in their burrows to avoid heat and light.
They may also be afraid of their predators – bats, scorpions, and desert toads.
How do you keep camel spiders away?
You can keep camel spiders away by keeping your surroundings clean. Declutter boxes and storage spaces.
Vacuum regularly and make sure no other insects are present in abundance as a food source. Additionally, seal all cracks and openings in your home, which serve as a way for them to enter.
Do camel spiders eat snakes?
Camel spiders do attack snakes. They happen to be among their list of prey. Camel spiders can attack prey larger than themselves because of their powerful jaws and speed.
They tear their prey apart or release enzymes to liquefy parts of the prey for consumption later.
Wrap Up
Camel spiders belong to a separate order of Arachnida and are not spiders.
They haven’t been studied extensively because they’re an elusive species, creating an air of mystery around them.
However, we do know that nocturnal predators like bats do eat them.
There are several myths connected to them that make them seem monstrous. But these fascinating creatures are not what their myths describe them to be.
Thank you for reading.
Reader Emails
Many of our readers have checked in with us about their camel spider problem in the past, checking out what they were and how to get rid of them. One constant query was whether there was a way to get rid of them naturally through predators.
Read on to learn more about these discussions and what methods they finally settled on. I hope this will also help your own quest!
Letter 1 – Solpugid
I found this in the garage a few minutes ago, pretty large 2 – 3" in length.
Chris
Hi Chris,
This Arachnid is known as a Solpugid. It is related to spiders and scorpions and is not venomous.
Letter 2 – Solpugid
What is this ?Hello,
Found it hanging on my wall on the sunset side at night in Scottsdale AZ. USA, Can you help me identify this thing ?
Thanks,
Mav
Hi Mav,
This is a Solpugid, also called a Wind Scorpion or a Sun Spider. They are non-venomous and harmless to humans, but they could give a painful bite.
Letter 3 – Solpugid
Arizona Bug I found this little cridder in Yuma, Arizona. I have no idea what it is, but sure someone out there does. Very interested in knowing what it is. Sorry about the picture. I thought I had it resized. Janet McQuaw 
Hi Janet, The poor dead Solpugid looks almost like it is sleeping. They are fierce predators, but harmless to humans.
Letter 4 – Solpugid
Strange bug found in Santa Fe NMHello there, I was just in Santa Fe and found this bug drowned in some water and can’t figure out what it is. It definently has ten legs, two pincher/fang things… I don’t know, here are some pictures if you could help me out, I’m very curious to know.
Thanks,
Melissa
Hi Melissa,
Your critter is a Solpugid.
The post What Eats Camel Spiders? 3 Camel Spider Predators in The Wild appeared first on What's That Bug?.
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