Palm-sized flesh-eating Camel spiders have been found in the kit of forces returning from the field.
Although they look ferocious and have a powerful bite, they are harmless – for humans at least.
Despite the name and appearance, camel spiders are actually solifugids which, unlike spiders, do not have venom or silk glands. They prey on spiders, scorpions, insects, small vertebrates and other solifugids. Usually nocturnal, they sometimes come out in the day but will seek out shadows, even if the shadow is cast by a human. If the person moves, the solifugid follows the shadow, which gives the impression it is giving pursuit. It’s easy enough to get that impression, particularly as camel spiders can move at speeds of up to 16km/h.