Hobbies And Interests
Common Camel Spider Habitat
Camel spiders prefer to live in warm and dry habitats, so they are commonly found in deserts throughout the world including the deserts of North America, South America and Asia. They are not, however, native to Australia and are not found in Australian deserts. In some cases, though it is less common, camel spiders can be found in grasslands and forests.
Desert Habitats
Camel spiders enjoy arid climates, which is why they flourish in the desert. In their desert habitat, these spiders like to live in the shade, meaning they can be found near plants or trees, under rocks, and even under the ground. Camel spiders are nocturnal, so they emerge from their hiding places mostly during the night. These spiders enjoy shade so much, in fact, that they have been known to chase human shadows.
Diet
Camel spiders are carnivorous animals and thus eat other animals found in their habitat. They kill their prey with their chelicerae, which are parts of their mouths. Common camel spider prey include other spiders and insects, small rodents and lizards, and termites. These spiders are unable to kill larger prey, since they will not fit into their mouths, but they are occasionally able to attract and catch small birds.
Myths
There are a number of myths surrounding the camel spider. The most common myth is about their size. Some urban legends suggest that these spiders can grow to the size of a dinner plate; however, in reality, these spiders rarely exceed about 5 inches in leg span. Camel spiders are also often thought to attack humans. While the spider will chase humans, they are only after their shadow -- their preferred habitat -- and do not attack.