Solifugids: The Bastard Children of Class Arachnida?Solifugids: The Bastard Children of Class Arachnida?
Solifugids, or Camel Spiders are still fairly new to the pet trade though their somewhat limited availability is improving. The term "Solifugid" is derived from Latin and loosely translated means "fugitive from the sun" Fossil records of Solifugids are rare but would seem to indicate they have been around some 330 million years, with the best fossilized specimens being found in Poland. According to these fossilized remains it would appear that these creatures have changed little in size or appearance in that vast amount of time. These highly defensive and freakish looking arachnids are reputedly difficult to keep in captivity, and are the subject of a number of outlandish claims.
It would appear that this specimen (Galeodes arabs) is a female based on the well developed chelicerae and lack of cephalic flagellum
TAXONONY AND APPEARANCE
Arthropoda > Chelicerata > Arachnida > Solifugae
- Currently, there are 12 recognized families comprising of 141 genera and 1095 described species.
- Solifugids possess unusually large and well developed chelicerae, aligned perpendicularly to the longditudal plane of the body and presenting a fearsome appearance
- Pedipalpi have a sticky organ at the terminus, it can be used to subdue prey or to climb. The G. arabs in my collection has been observed using only it's pedipalpi to scale glass.
- Solifugids display limited flourescence under ultraviolet light.
- Unusually well developed respiritory system, complete with trachea
- Some Solifugids can stridulate via a rastellum located on the inner chelicerae. Galeodes arabs possesses the ability to stridulate.
- Like Scorpions, the transition between the prosoma and opisthosoma is amibiguous, lacking a pedicle.
- Possesses four pairs of walking legs, though only the last 3 pairs are used for locomotion. The first pair would appear to be used as a spider would use it's pedipalps.
- Solifugids have sensory organs called malleoli on the trochanter and coxae of the fourth pair of legs. These small organs are raquet shaped in appearance and serve a similiar function to a scorpions' pectines.
- Copious presence of setae on the prosoma, legs and pedipalpi.
- Sexual dimorphism for many species of solifugids presents as flagellum on the dorsal surface of the chelicerae of the male, whereas the females have a more developed chelicerae.
BREAKING THE MYTHS
Popularity with the keeping of solifugids would appear to coincide with wild and often silly stories told of the creatures by participants in Operation Enduring Oil Supply. A number of unsubstantiated claims circulated:
- Solifugids can run alongside a HUMVEE at 35mph, emitting a screaming sound louder than the vehicle. TRUTH: a ground speed of roughly 20 inches per second would be more reasonable. And while some can stridulate, it actually isnt that loud and certainly not in the 60+ decibel range.
- Solifugids can jump some five feet into the air. TRUTH: this is simply absurd. Solifugids possess a leg structure suited to running on loose ground, not jumping.
- Solifugids inject their victims with a numbing, paralyzing venom. Soldiers have awoke to find chunks of flesh missing. TRUTH: they possess no venom glands, relying on their large chelicerae to overpower prey. And while they might prey on prey larger than themselves in the wild, it is highly unlikely that a solifugid would choose sleeping humans as a food source.
A contributing factor to these rumors portraying the interesting creatures as savage, flesh eating monsters is this photo (also note the malleoli on the fourth pair of legs on the lower creature) :
This photo has been widely circulated on the internet and is easily the most popular photo on the subject. Initially the creatures pictured look extremely large, but you need to consider the perspective of the photo: the legs in the background neatly fool the eye by confusing the brain as to the relative scale of objects at different distances from the camera lens. If you look to the upper right you can see the palm of the hand that is holding the solifugids. Based on the relative scale of the hand in the picture, they dont look so big now do they?
This picture more accurately presents the size of a juvenile Galeodes arabs. Note that the legs are especially long and spindly, and the massive pedipalpi:
A KEY TO SURVIVAL??
Many anecdotal accounts of keeping solifugids suggest they are difficult to keep in captivity. A short life cycle coupled with a poor understanding of these creatures' behaviours may contribute to unsuccessful attempts at keeping Solifugids. Many die within 2-3 months of arrival, and attempts at captive breeding are few and far between. The key to their continued survival in captivity may lie in the support of the solifugids' tendency to be a nomadic but compulsive burrowing animal. My observations would indicate that G. arabs hides in a subterranian burrow during the light hours, emerging late in the night to seek food and explore. It is also possible the creature may dig a different burrow to hide in, and may return to previous burrows as well. Other keepers have kept the beasts on loose, dry sandy substrates; or more humid dirt based substrates only to watch the creature wither and die. I've had some success with a "baked desert" sand based substrate mixed with small crushed rock and a small amount of bark chips. Powdered calcium supplement is mixed in (as a binding agent) and water is added, making a thick slurry which is then poured into the enclosure. Flat pieces of rock are placed to provide ideal burrowing conditions, and some simple landscaping is done. The tank is then place on a heating pad and the wet sandy mixture "bakes" into a sandy, well bound and very diggable substrate. I keep the bottom moist by adding water to the corners with a turkey baster, and I mist the surface slightly every morning to keep the surface of the sand "crusty". The creature appears to be doing well with this setup, though it is a bit of a "pet hole". As of the writing of this article (oct 12 08), the G. arabs is alive and well and is quite the avid burrower. I will also add that the "baked desert" idea also worked well with my juvenile L. quinquestriatus, another compulsive burrower.
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Addendum to Solifugid article
Originally Posted by FrogO_Oeyes 
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