Solifugae

Solifugae are an order of animals in the class Arachnida. They are known variously as camel spiders, wind scorpions, sun spiders or solifuges. The order includes more than 1,000 described species in about 153 genera. The Solifugae are a different order from the true spiders (order Araneae) and the scorpions (order Scorpiones). Much like a spider, the body of a Solifugid has two tagmata: an opisthosoma (abdomen) behind the prosoma (that is in effect a combined head and thorax). At the front end the prosoma bears two chelicerae that in most species are conspicuously large. The chelicerae serve as jaws and in many species also are used for stridulation. Unlike scorpions, solifugids do not have a third tagma that forms a "tail". Most species of the Solifugae live in deserts and feed opportunistically on ground-dwelling arthropods and other small animals. Some species may grow to a length of 300 mm (12 in) including legs. A number of urban legends exaggerate the size and speed of Solifugae, and their potential danger to humans, which is practically nil.