Okay, I have seen spiders before, but what in the hell is this. Supposedly a pic of a camel spider in Iraq.
EDIT: Sorry, I forgot to put OT in the title, my bad.

Those are Jenny's new pets, Bush and Cheney!



Geoff

Spider BBQ. Yummy.

OMG! those're huge!

I had a friend in college that was deathly afraid of spiders... he had major heart attacks every time he saw one ("his wife calls him "Spazzy" )

THAT would've killed him! Good thing he's ex-navy

Yeah, and the real bitch is they are the fastest non flying arthropod....reaching 10 mph

They've said that the picture is deceiving as to their actual size.....I don't know, looks too friggin big to me!

It looks like two stuck together. I just cant frickin stare at it long enough to figure it out

Yes, that's for real. Those are exceptionally nice specimens, though.

This picture was discussed a couple of weeks ago. Bottom line: it's real. They grow up to 6 inches, plus legs. It's the fasted non-flying arthropod in the world, and can run up to 10 mph. The bite contains a mild venom that acts like a mosquito bite - it numbs the skin and allows the critter to keep munching.

Their diet is mostly other insects and small animals, but they have gone after larger prey. On rare occasion, they are found in sleeping bags or boots, if someone has all their gear on the ground.

If I saw one, I'd shoot it without hestitation. But they're quick little bastards...

-Rusty

P.S. I added "OT" to your message title.

Thanks Rusty.

Three words "Fuck that shit."

Be safe out there man.

"The photo appears to be authentic. Fortunately for all of us, especially the guys in the picture, the same cannot be said of the accompanying text, which merely repeats false rumors circulating since the start of the Iraq war.

This scary-looking creature (actually, it's a pair of scary-looking creatures dangling end-to-end) is indeed commonly called a camel spider, but it is found in arid locales all over the world ? including the southwestern United States ? not just in the Gulf region. A typical specimen can grow to about the size of a child's hand, but, though they are known for being vicious predators (see video), camel spiders are neither venomous nor a threat to human beings.

They don't eat camels, either."

http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/bl_c...amel_spider.htm

Speaking of Iraq, Rusty, a bit back, you'd mentioned that some of the Guys with you didn't have anyone to send stuff to them.

You got any names? I've not got alot, but hell, I figure a bag of M&M's from home, with the latest Maxim magazine could brighten some poor bastards day.

Before we hijack this thread, I wanted to add: There have been urban legends about these spiders for years. One story that's been floating around since the first Gulf War is that a soldier fell asleep, and the spider ate most of his nose while he was asleep.

Young and nieve during ODS, I believed that one for a while. (We need an embarassed smilie.)

// break //

You're right, Ed.. that sure would. In fact, just a postcard or a note will brighten someones day.

I'll PM you a name and address.

Thank you very much for remembering my troops.

-Rusty

Rusty...

Please PM me with a troop's name/address...my family will certainly help. I personally know how much this means to them.

Ed


Pleiku
Class of 69'

PS...as long as we are on insect stories...I remember living in a hooch where the roaches were the size of coke cans...one night a friend of mine woke up with one of them crawling across his face....obviously it scared the crap out of him...the snakes were bad enough...but he grabbed his 45 and tried to kill it...it had gone under his bed...as he started shooting....the whole compound lit up...flares going off....the 60's lighting up the no-man zones around the compound...all hell broke loose....they thought we were being attacked by the VC...luckily the only thing that died...was that Big F'n roach....and no we weren't smokin anything....
true story....I still laugh at those memories...

rusty, send me a name and address and I'll send a package. What things are not appropriate there. I'm curious if a Playboy magazine would be a no no.

Rusty, I'll take a name and address too please. What kinda stuff is in short supply there? When I was in SEA, it was real toilet paper.

PMs sent...

thank you, all...

-Rusty

Rusty,

I'd like a name and shipping info too. Since I really don't know what is available there, a list of suggestions would be good too.

Steve

Rusty,
just sent you a PM....but forgot to add that I belong to a pretty tight Vietnam Vets group that would also love to help your troops ....besides most of them would love to be there and help kick ass and take names...we may be old...but still know how to pull the trigger...better watch out for the size of those care packages your people get...old Nam vets popping out of boxes and ready for the sh*t....ha, ha...

times have changed....or have they??

Ed

Thanks, Ed. Check your mailbox. Times haven't changed much... cept there's no alchol here, and they don't issue cigarettes in rations anymore.

Steve.. thank you. I've PMd you a name and address.

-Rusty

Yup.... it's true..... all true.

Camel spiders are generally very seclusive, and are rarely seen venturing into highly human-populated areas.

However, they are extremely protective, especially if you come across a nest of them. If threatened, they will not run, they will attack. They generally don't "run" either.. they "hop".... up to distances of 10 to 15 feet at a time on some occasions.

I've never heard of stories of a soldier's nose getting eaten off..... but I have seen pictures of a soldiers arm that was once bitten. The soldier didn't wake up, as the venom "numbed" the area, and the spider munched for quite awhile.

After a couple days, the affected are got so bad that the soldier had to have reconstructive surgury, and skin graphs, as the area literally deteriorated (rotted) after being bitten.

Scary shit huh?

I spent a few years in Saudi Arabia many moons ago , and allthough I've not seen camel spiders THAT big , they do grow to pretty amazing sizes.
They also hop or jump at you if they dont like what you are doing . I've seen them jump 5-8 feet when provoked.

Stay safe
Dave

I fucking hate spiders.!

Giant jumping spiders plus all of this?
Thanks Rusty. Glad I'm not there.

Excellent post. Thank you.