Camel spider: terrible, but not poisonous

The camel's spider is an unscientific, but accustomed name of the representative of arachnids, belonging to the class of phalanx or solpuga. In Russian, sometimes used the name of a bichork, and in English - a scorpion of the wind, because it can run at a speed of 53 m / s. This arachnid lives in almost all desert places, except for Australia.

The camel's spider is impressive in size. Its structure and way of life combine the signs of high development (the tracheal system) and primitive traits (anatomy of the limbs, dismemberment of the body). It has an intimidating appearance due to wooliness and large chelicerae (such as claws). They are equipped with teeth and open in a vertical plane. The body length can reach up to 7 cm, the color is dominated by yellowish and brownish-black tones. The trunk and extremities are covered with bristles and hairs, different in rigidity and length.

The abdomen is large, consists of 10 segments, on the first of which there is a genital opening, covered with side flaps. Pedipalps (analogous legs) with tactile appendages at the ends without claws. With their help, the camel's spider moves, seizes and holds the prey. The photo shows it in all its "glory." Poisonous representatives of the spiderfish have no poisonous glands. He can bite the human skin, and if he makes an infection, complications are possible.

A camel spider is able to move with great speed, including vertical surfaces. A frightened phalanx can jump and cling to something with chelicers. In deserted places this often turns out to be the smell of a camel, hence this unusual name. In case of danger takes a menacing defensive posture, like some spiders. The photo shows that the front part of the body is raised, the open claws are exposed forward, the front legs are raised towards the enemy. Some species also produce chirping or squeaking through friction chelicera.

Camel spider - a predator of the night, in the daytime its activity is reduced. During the daytime he prefers to sit in shelters, under rocks, in burrows. Light at night attracts many species of saltpaw. They feed on these arachnids with any insects, small rodents, in general, all with whom they are able to cope. Large individuals attack even lizards, small rodents, scorpions and chicks. Their gluttony has become a byword, they literally can eat up to that condition, until the belly does not burst, but this is possible only in captivity. In natural Conditions, the eaten saltwort can not catch up with the victim. The camel spider grabs its prey instantly, holding it, tearing it up, chopping chelicera, moistening with digestive juices and sucking.

Mating, as a rule, is carried out at night and lasts for several minutes. The male is always very active, unlike the female, which remains practically immobile. When fertilization, he pours out the spermatophore on the soil, helicer transfers it to the sexual opening of the partner. After a while the fertilized female acquires mobility, and if the male does not escape, it can be eaten by it.

After mating, the female becomes especially voracious. After a certain time, she tears the mink and lays eggs with developed embryos, from which the cubs soon appear. They can not move; Covered with a kind of film, and the body's articulation is not yet developed. After 2.5 weeks, the first molt takes place, as a result of which the covers are cut and cured, and the ability to move is developed. From some sources it follows that the mother protects the offspring for a while, delivering food to them, but this has not yet been proved. And this is not the only question related to the camel spider, requiring an answer.