SUNSPIDER

also called sun scorpion, or wind scorpion any of the 800 species of the order Solifugae (formerly Solpugida) of the arthropod class Arachnida. The name sunspider refers to the species' habitation of hot, dry regions as well as to the golden colour and daytime liveliness of most species. They are also called wind scorpions because of their swiftness, camel spiders because of their humped heads, and solpugids because of the former scientific name. Their hairiness and rounded opisthosoma (abdomen) are spiderlike; the front appendages somewhat resemble those of a scorpion. Body length is 10 to 50 mm (0.4 to 2 inches). Sunspiders are extremely voracious, and the largest forms can kill small vertebrates. The chelicerae (first pair of appendages) are large, toothed, jawlike pincers, and the leglike pedipalps (second pair of appendages) have suctorial tips for seizing prey. Unique racket-shaped organs (malleoli) on the hindmost legs may be sensory. Sunspiders are common in Africa and southeastward to India; in Indonesia, especially the Celebes; and in parts of the New World.