Sun Spider

Description:

The ten-legged spider? Solifugae have long pedipalps, which function as sense organs similar to insects' antennae and give the appearance of the two extra legs. Pedipalps terminate in eversible adhesive organs. This spides was medium sized (5-7 cm) and a fast runner. It was spotted by my brother at a resturant, and made the ladies at the table next to us quite stressed...

Habitat:

Found at a lodge restaurant in the evening. Rain season. Mixed forest, lubombo region. Altitude: 543.799 m latitude/longitude: -26.316624, 31.990292

Notes:

The order Solifugae is a group of arachnids, containing around 900 species. The name derives from Latin, and means those that flee from the sun. The order is also known by the names Solpugida, Solpugides, Solpugae, Galeodea and Mycetophorae. Their common names include camel spider, wind scorpion, sun spider and matevenados ("deer-killer" - a Mexican nickname). Solifugae are not true spiders (which are from a different order, Araneae). Like scorpions and harvestmen, they belong to a distinct arachnid order. Most Solifugae live in tropical or semitropical regions where they inhabit warm and arid habitats, but some species have been known to live in grassland or forest habitats. The most distinctive feature of Solifugae is their large chelicerae. Each of the two chelicerae are composed of two articles forming a powerful pincer; each article bears a variable number of teeth. Males in all families but Eremobatidae possess a flagellum on the basal article of the chelicera. Solifugae are carnivorous or omnivorous, with most species feeding on termites, darkling beetles, and other small arthropods; however, solifugae have been videotaped consuming larger prey such as lizards. Prey is located with the pedipalps and killed and cut into pieces by the chelicerae. The prey is then liquefied and the liquid ingested through the pharynx. Photos of this particular Solpugema was sent to a spider expert in South Africa. Her responce was "It looks like a male Solpugema hostilis, but unfortunately without being able to see the chelicera clearly I cannot guarantee that it is this species." (Thank you for that Kate Brown)