Wow, now i can sleep tonight.
"When you're wounded and left on Afghanistan's plains,
And the women come out to cut up what remains,
Jest roll to your rifle and blow out your brains
An' go to your Gawd like a soldier."
Kipling-
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| A little lesson in camel spiders... http://warthogterritory.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=5898 |
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| Author: | Horrido [ 12 Apr 2004, 22:50 ] |
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http://www.snopes.com/photos/bugs/camelspider.asp#add Origins: It's hard enough for those serving in our country's armed forces to be sent halfway around the world, away from home and family. It's even worse to be stationed in some bleak desert outpost. But nobody should have to deal with creepy-crawlies the size of small cats in the bargain! We don't yet know the origin of this photo or what it's supposed to depict, other than to note that the picture is generally circulated with text proclaiming it to be an image of some U.S. soldiers with camel spiders. Camel spiders, also known as wind spiders, wind scorpions, and sun scorpions, are a type of arthropod found (among other places) in the deserts of the Middle East. They're technically not spiders but solifugae (although, like spiders, they belong to the class Arachnida). Camel spiders are the subject of a variety of legendary claims, many of them familiar to Americans because they were spread by U.S. servicemen who served in the Persian Gulf War in 1991, and re-spread at the beginning of the Iraq War in 2003: <ul><li>Camel spiders can grow to be as large as dinner plates.</li> <li>Camel spiders can traverse desert sand at speeds up to 25 MPH, making screaming noises as they run.</li> <li>Camel spiders can jump several feet in the air.</li> <li>Camel spiders eat the stomachs of camels, hence the name "camel spider." (Legend includes the detail that camel spiders eat camel stomachs from either the outside in or the inside out. In the former case they supposedly jump up from the ground and grab onto camels' bellies from underneath; in the latter case exactly how spiders allegedly as large as dinner plates get into camels' stomachs intact remains unexplained.)</li> <li>Camel spiders are venomous, and their venom contains a powerful anesthetic that numbs their victims (thus allowing them to gnaw away at living, immobilized animals without being noticed). U.S. soldiers were said to have been attacked by camel spiders at night but remained completely unaware of their plight until they awakened in the morning to find chunks of their flesh missing.</li></ul> According to most spider experts, these claims are all false. Camel spiders (so named because, like camels, they can be found in sandy desert regions) grow to be moderately large (about a 5" leg span), but nowhere near as large as dinner plates; they can move very quickly in comparison to other arthropods (a top speed of maybe 10 MPH), but nothing close 25 MPH; they make no noise; and they capture prey without the use of either venom or anesthetic. Camel spiders rely on speed, stealth, and the (non-venomous) bite of powerful jaws to feed on small prey such as other arthropods (e.g., scorpions, crickets, pillbugs), lizards, and possibly mice or birds. They use only three pairs of legs in running; the frontmost pair (called pedipalps) is held aloft and used in a similar manner to the antennae of insects. Camel spiders shun the sun and generally hide during the day, coming out at night to do their hunting. Although whatever is depicted in the photograph above appears to be far too large for camel spiders, the creatures might just look unusually large because they were held close to the camera, creating an illusion of exaggerated size. However, since we don't know the source of the picture, we can't yet rule out the possibility that some other misdirection was involved (e.g., digital manipulation, a misdescription of what the photograph depicts, some soldiers goofing around with plastic figures or something else spider-shaped, etc.). Fear and anxiety are for losers...So lets get moving and <i>KICK SOME ASS!</i> |
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| Author: | M21 Sniper [ 12 Apr 2004, 23:50 ] |
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Wow, now i can sleep tonight.
"When you're wounded and left on Afghanistan's plains, And the women come out to cut up what remains, Jest roll to your rifle and blow out your brains An' go to your Gawd like a soldier." Kipling- |
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| Author: | bigross86 [ 13 Apr 2004, 01:07 ] |
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Mmm, mmm tasty! "Retreat, hell! We just got here!"-Captain Lloyd Williams, 2nd Marine Division, Belleau Wood, France, WWI |
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| Author: | M21 Sniper [ 13 Apr 2004, 01:21 ] |
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BR, You got your peanut butter on my camel spider! "When you're wounded and left on Afghanistan's plains, And the women come out to cut up what remains, Jest roll to your rifle and blow out your brains An' go to your Gawd like a soldier." Kipling- |
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| Author: | bigross86 [ 13 Apr 2004, 03:00 ] |
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Leggo my camel spider leg! "Retreat, hell! We just got here!"-Captain Lloyd Williams, 2nd Marine Division, Belleau Wood, France, WWI |
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| Author: | 30mike-mike [ 13 Apr 2004, 06:23 ] |
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Compare them to the GI's sleeve opening, and they aren't all that big...just ugly! And you'd move fast, too, if you had to barefoot it across the desert sands! <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle> "...government without arms is an inconsistency." James Logan (circa 1740) |
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| Author: | Horrido [ 13 Apr 2004, 06:54 ] |
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They're wrong on the noise part, though. If I remember the details correctly, the males can rub their fangs together to make a faint rasping/squeaking noise, kinda like crickets do, to either attract mates or ward-off enemies. We have little ones, about the size of a wolf spider, locally. When I first saw one down near the Hanford Nuclear Reservation, I thought it was a spider and counted it's legs..."2-4-6-8...10...No, that can't be right...2-4-6-8-...10...Gee, you find the <i>neatest</i> things near <i>HANFORD!</i>" lol Fear and anxiety are for losers...So lets get moving and <i>KICK SOME ASS!</i> Edited by - Horrido on Apr 13 2004 05:58 AM |
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| Author: | Horrido [ 13 Apr 2004, 07:08 ] |
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Oh, click the video link near the bottom of that website if you want to see some awesome solifugid on scorpion fang action. lol Fear and anxiety are for losers...So lets get moving and <i>KICK SOME ASS!</i> |
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| Author: | bigross86 [ 13 Apr 2004, 07:27 ] |
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Who had any doubt Horrido would respond to this one? "Retreat, hell! We just got here!"-Captain Lloyd Williams, 2nd Marine Division, Belleau Wood, France, WWI |
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| Author: | sgtgoose1 [ 13 Apr 2004, 07:58 ] |
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I DONT CARE WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY, THEIR HUGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! UGLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SCARIER THAN A EX WIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND I SPRAYED RAID ON ONE AND IT TOOK THE CAN AWAY AND SPRAYED IT UNDER HIS ITS 8 ARM PITS. ITS ONE DAMN BIG ASS BUG!!!!!!!!!!! I REACHED IN THE J-P4 TRUCK TO GET THE NOZZLE AND<img src=newicons/anim_shock.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=newicons/anim_shock.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=newicons/anim_shock.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=newicons/anim_shock.gif border=0 align=middle>!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ONE RIGHT THER!!!!!!!!!! PRESS TO TEST |
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| Author: | Homer32 [ 13 Apr 2004, 09:08 ] |
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<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote> SCARIER THAN A EX WIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! <hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote> LOL, please goose, dont post a pic with an ex wife nearly as scary as that spider... Homer: Kids, you tried your best, and you failed miserably. The lesson is: never try! Edited by - homer32 on Apr 13 2004 08:10 AM |
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| Author: | Horrido [ 13 Apr 2004, 10:35 ] |
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Bigross...I...<i>posted</i>...this topic. <img src=newicons/tard.gif border=0 align=middle> And they're <i>NOT</i> spiders! <img src=newicons/anim_furious.gif border=0 align=middle> Fear and anxiety are for losers...So lets get moving and <i>KICK SOME ASS!</i> |
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| Author: | TheLastRaven [ 13 Apr 2004, 10:39 ] |
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I can attest to seeing them as well. I saw a couple that looked a little larger than 5", but regardless, they are damn big for spiders. Also, some of them do make noise like Horrido mentioned. They are quick, too. If you see something like that running at 10 MPH, it looks like 25! They also *DO* jump. I have seen it myself. The problem is, they need a good running start, but running along at full clip, with a decent breeze going, they can jump 4-5 feet in the air. Also, I read somewhere (I believe on AF.mil) that there is a legend that says they chase people. This is sort of true, since they hate the sun, if they are out at dawn or dusk, they try to stay in shadows as much as possible. If they happen to be in your shadow, and you move away, they will try to stay in that shadow, and it will appear that they are chasing you. BTW, never seen anyone bit by one...and we caught quite a few in Afghanistan. --Raven "'When it comes to my turn, will you want me to go?' 'For democracy, any man would give his only begotten son.'" |
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| Author: | 30mike-mike [ 13 Apr 2004, 11:00 ] |
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One of the DIA guys in our compound had a baby one in a terrarium as a "pet". They definitely are ugly at <i>any</i> age! "...government without arms is an inconsistency." James Logan (circa 1740) |
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| Author: | sgtgoose1 [ 13 Apr 2004, 15:37 ] |
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HORRIDO IS THE EXPERT HERE ON BUGS!!!!!!!!!!! AND I AGREE WITH YOU RAVEN I DONT CARE IF ITS 10 MPH OR 25MPH I'M DOING 60MPH AWAY FROM IT!!!!!!!!!!!! PRESS TO TEST |
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| Author: | TheLastRaven [ 13 Apr 2004, 22:53 ] |
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Screw that...doing 25 in the Coleman towards it! --Raven "'When it comes to my turn, will you want me to go?' 'For democracy, any man would give his only begotten son.'" |
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| Author: | gifted [ 14 Apr 2004, 08:32 ] |
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We had a couple come to Germany in UALS. None bigger than a quarter though. "Some pup" Nickname by Fenderstrat72 |
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| Author: | MrMudd [ 14 Apr 2004, 09:34 ] |
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HAHAH Goose you a funny mofo!!!! <BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>SCARIER THAN A EX WIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND I SPRAYED RAID ON ONE AND IT TOOK THE CAN AWAY AND SPRAYED IT UNDER HIS ITS 8 ARM PITS.<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote> "The power to Destroy the planet, is insignifigant to the power of the Air Force----Mudd Vader |
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| Author: | MrMudd [ 14 Apr 2004, 09:48 ] |
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<img src="http://www.truthorfiction.com/images/camels1.jpg" border=0> "The power to Destroy the planet, is insignifigant to the power of the Air Force----Mudd Vader Edited by - mrmudd on Apr 15 2004 07:04 AM |
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| Author: | 30mike-mike [ 14 Apr 2004, 11:35 ] |
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Clarification, please, Goose...you sprayed the spider, or your ex?<img src=newicons/anim_lol.gif border=0 align=middle> "...government without arms is an inconsistency." James Logan (circa 1740) |
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| Author: | bigross86 [ 14 Apr 2004, 13:16 ] |
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The ex, duh! The eight armpits didn't give it away? "Retreat, hell! We just got here!"-Captain Lloyd Williams, 2nd Marine Division, Belleau Wood, France, WWI |
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| Author: | tritonal [ 14 Apr 2004, 13:56 ] |
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Mice don't scare me, neither do most spiders. I hate bugs. What's the term for someone who has a fear of bugs? Edited by - Tritonal on Apr 14 2004 12:56 PM |
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| Author: | Horrido [ 14 Apr 2004, 14:19 ] |
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For insects, entomophobia is the fear, entomophobic describes the person, entomophobe is the person. Now, anyone for a chorus of "LOOK AT THE FREAK!"? <img src=newicons/tard.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=newicons/anim_shock.gif border=0 align=middle> Fear and anxiety are for losers...So lets get moving and <i>KICK SOME ASS!</i> Edited by - Horrido on Apr 14 2004 1:23 PM |
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| Author: | sgtgoose1 [ 14 Apr 2004, 20:51 ] |
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MUDD, I'M SURE YOU HAVE A COUPLE OF CAMEL SPIDER STORIES TOO I CANT STAND SPIDERS OR SNAKES! BOTH LOOK BETTER,SQUISHED,STOMPED,SPLATTED,SHOT,RAN-OVER,DEEP FRIED(JUST RATTLE SNAKE)OR JUST PLAIN DEAD! OH FORGOT THE BEST THING TO DO WITH EITHER,THROW THEM IN THE CHICKEN COOP! PRESS TO TEST |
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| Author: | 30mike-mike [ 15 Apr 2004, 05:53 ] |
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You and Jim Stafford, Goose!<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle> "I don't like spiders and snakes And that ain't what it takes to love me Like I wanna be loved by you I don't like spiders and snakes And that ain't what it takes to love me Like I wanna be loved by you." "...government without arms is an inconsistency." James Logan (circa 1740) |
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