Spiders Galore Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

Crow T Robot: Please contact me if this one is resolved. Thanks.

More
Hidden : 1/15/2009
Difficulty:
1 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size: small (small)

Join now to view geocache location details. It's free!

Watch

How Geocaching Works
Looking for a different adventure?

Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions in our disclaimer.

Geocache Description:

This cache was placed by our 6 year old son. Can be reached by 2x4, but you will have to walk about 100 meters.

Contents:
• Yo-Yo
• Car
• Slinky
• LED/Whistle/Compass Key chain
• Top
• Paddle Game
• “Spidey” Travel Bug
• FTF Coin
• Log Book
• Log Book Pencil

One of the reasons our family geocaches is to learn about the place where we live. So, that being said, we thought we would take this opportunity to learn about an arachnid that we could possibly come in contact with while we are out geocaching. The Camel Spider (Solifugae) see photo, also known by wind scorpion, sun scorpion and sun spider derives it name from Latin, and means those that flee from the sun. However, they are not true spiders.

Most Camel Spiders inhabit warm and arid habitats, including virtually all deserts in both the Eastern and Western Hemispheres. The most distinctive feature is their large mouth parts, which form a powerful pincer. They rub these together resulting in a rattling noise to attract prey.

Camel Spiders usually feed on termites, darkling beetles, and other small arthropods, although they have been videotaped consuming larger prey such as lizards. Although they do not normally attack humans, their pincers can penetrate human skin, and painful bites have been reported.

As indicated by the origin of their name, Camel Spiders are mostly nocturnal, and seek shade during the day. It was this behavior that led coalition soldiers in the 2003 invasion of Iraq to think these arachnids were attacking them. In reality, they were merely moving toward the newly available shade provided by the soldiers' presence. The absence of shade sends them away.

URBAN LEGEND:
Camel Spiders are the subject of many urban legends and exaggerations about their size, speed, behavior, appetite, and lethality. They are not especially large, the biggest having a leg span of perhaps 12 centimeters (5 in). They are fast on land and can run perhaps 16 kilometers per hour (10 mph). Members of this order of Arachnida apparently have no venom and do not spin webs.

In the Middle East, it is widely rumored among American and coalition military forces stationed there that Camel Spiders will feed on living human flesh. The story goes that the creature will inject some anaesthetizing venom into the exposed skin of its sleeping victim, then feed voraciously, leaving the victim to awaken with a gaping wound. Camel Spiders, however, do not produce such an anesthetic, and they do not attack prey larger than themselves unless threatened. Other stories include tales of them leaping into the air, disemboweling camels, screaming, and running alongside moving humvees; all of these tales are dubious at best. Due to their bizarre appearance many people are startled or even afraid of them. The greatest threat they pose to humans, however, is their bite in self-defense when one tries to handle them. There is essentially no chance of death directly caused by the bite, but, due to the strong muscles of their pincers, they can produce a proportionately large, ragged wound that is prone to infection. (visit link)

Beware: Snakes, Spiders, Scorpions, BIG Cats (as I saw 4-5 cm tracks).

Additional Hints (No hints available.)



Advertising with Us