Camel spiders, also called wind scorpions and Egyptian giant solpugids (SAHL-pyoo-jids), are only about 6 inches long. Photos that purport to show creatures six times that size have misleading perspective—the spider is invariably placed in the foreground where the lens makes it appear much bigger than its actual size.

How big do camel spiders get?

According to the BBC, though camel spiders appear to have 10 legs, they actually have eight. The two extra leg-like appendages are sensory organs called pedipalps. Camel spiders can reach up to 6 inches (15 cm) in length and weigh about 2 ounces (56 grams).

Can a camel spider hurt you?

A camel spider is a relatively small type of arachnid called a solpugid, whose bite is not life threatening to humans. A camel spider bite is not directly life threatening to humans. The bite can, however, be painful and leave a fierce-looking wound. The greatest risk associated with a bite is infection.