Solifugae facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Solifugae Temporal range: late Carboniferous to present
Male solifugid in South Africa
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Arachnida
Subclass:	Dromopoda
Order:	Solifugae

Solifugae are a unique group of arachnids. They are often called 'camel spiders', 'wind scorpions', or 'sun spiders'. Even though they look a bit like spiders or scorpions, they are actually different. They are not true spiders, and they are not scorpions.

There are over 1,000 different kinds, or species, of Solifugae. These species are grouped into about 153 genera. Like spiders, their bodies have two main parts. One part is the opisthosoma, which is like their abdomen. The other part is the prosoma, which combines their head and thorax.

Unlike scorpions, Solifugae do not have a tail. They also do not have venom, so they are not normally dangerous to people.

Where Solifugae Live

Most types of Solifugae prefer to live in dry places. You can find them in many parts of the world. They live in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas.

Some of the biggest species can grow quite large. They can reach a length of about 12–15 cm (5–6 in). This measurement includes their long legs.

Images for kids

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  This picture shows the underside of a solifuge. You can see its respiratory slots, which it uses to breathe.

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  This animated image shows how a solifuge's chelicerae move. These are its powerful mouthparts used for chewing.

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  A close-up view of a chelicera from the side. You can see its teeth and sharp cutting edge.

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  A male solifuge in South Africa. Notice the flagella near its mouthparts, which look like backward-curling bristles. Its front legs act like feelers, barely touching the ground.

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  A female solifuge from the Solpugidae family. You can see the malleoli under its back legs. These are special sensory organs.

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  This image shows the eyes of a solifuge. There are bristles around them, which might help protect them.

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  A Gluvia dorsalis solifuge enjoying a meal. It is eating a cabbage bug (Eurydema oleracea).

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  This picture shows a scorpion (on the left) and a solifuge (on the right) facing each other.

See also

In Spanish: Solífugos para niños