Camel Spiders: Neither Camels, nor Spiders

Dr. Paula Cushing has been studying these strange animals for nearly 17 years, and says there is so little known about them, that anyone can discover something new. They're camel spiders: neither camels, nor spiders! So... what are they, anyway?
We've set out from The Field Museum in Chicago to collaborate with the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. Check out our first video on the Human Biology Collection: • The Human Biology Coll...
And our video with anthropologist Dr. Steve Nash, about their collection of Native American Peace Medals: • Can Peace be Purchased?
Learn more about Dr. Cushing’s work, and camel spiders:
www.dmns.org/science/museum-sc...
The 3D-reconstruction at 5:49 is from the paper, "Morphology of the tracheal system of camel spiders (Chelicerata: Solifugae) based on micro-CT and 3D-reconstruction in exemplar species from three families: bit.ly/2w1madp
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Producer, Writer, Creator, Host:
Emily Graslie
Producer, Camera:
Brandon Brungard
Producer, Camera, Editor:
Sheheryar Ahsan
Interview with:
Dr. Paula Cushing
---------------------------------------­----------------------------
This episode is a collaboration between
The Field Museum in Chicago, IL
(www.fieldmuseum.org)
and
The Denver Museum of Nature & Science
(www.dmns.org/)
And filmed on location in beautiful Denver, Colorado.
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[@ZachBail]

Glad we got the whole "them not being Camels" thing cleared up

[@robertk3357]

I can finally sleep in peace

[@crackazack510]

🤣🤣

[@ants_in_my_eyes_johnson6844]

Wait...hold up...its not a camel?!?!? *Mind explodes*

[@raquele6470]

This comment deserves way more likes 😂😂

[@Dystopia1111]

I'm not convinced, I'm still pretty sure that they actually are camels. Don't let the controlled mass media and their supposed 'scientists who study these things' tell you otherwise.🙃

[@-.._.-_...-_.._-..__..._.-.-.-]

Raised in poverty in the desert, I've had a countless amount of these things crawl up my pant leg and in my bed. In Iraq, they were everywhere. I was once awoken by one crawling on my face. It was only a few years ago that I learned they aren't venomous, but by then the psychological damage had already been done.

[@thebrainscoop]

Oh no! That's awful, I'm sorry. I wish everyone could learn about them in a safe way ... not by having them crawl on your face.

[@fuckablepancakes]

David S. I Cant imagine i have arachnophobia so that sounds like a nightmare!

[@Andy-hz2ef]

David S. Reading this comment gave me the hardest physical cringe in my life...

[@michaelpuckett6138]

Just be glad it didn’t try to have sex with you.

[@raininthespringtime]

Wow you're amazing..I tip my hat off to you sir

[@matthewrichardson828]

My tent in the military had one as a pet. They'd feed it ham sandwiches.

[@mickfenner6515]

We had one too. We called it Timothy. Unfortunately our Sgt Maj gave him a dextrose tablet from the ration pack and we never saw Timothy again. Funnily enough the Iraqi army surrendered the next day.

[@westonblanchard5404]

@@mickfenner6515 bro your fucking funny lol

[@ascendence575]

We had a big black scorpion for ours. Every once in a while, we caught a Camel spider for a battle royal....scorpion remained undefeated.

[@mickfenner6515]

I swear to God if that scorpion fucked Timothy up, it's all been pointless and I am handing my medal back.

[@CutThroatCat]

My heart overflowed with this knowledge. Thank you. ❣️

[@ToBeAnnounced2024]

"They cant break your skin, our skin is tougher than you think" Ordinary piece of paper: I see you have chosen death!

[@nathanwindom3978]

That one seemed to bust through that poor bird just fine tho.

[@josephdoria5237]

@@nathanwindom3978 once you get past the feathers birds have soft skin. Plus I think that one was young.

[@Kris.with.a.k_]

@@nathanwindom3978 Read my mind… they’re harmless but it’s about to snack on that bird. Noooope

[@Robo6745]

I fear friction more than fangs

[@crackazack510]

Foreal...papercuts defeat our skin. 😂

[@spugintrntl]

Scientist: "It will pull the insect..." Me: "THAT'S A FREAKING BIRD!!"

[@xandergrant8854]

Fucking terrifying.

[@ColonelMetus]

Well she said it was an insect and she is an expert so that makes it an insect

[@thomasneal9291]

nope. it doesn't.

[@shredBucketheadshred]

@Phantom SnakeX no, to the spider it's dinner it doesn't care what kind

[@tastybritches6644]

@GENERAL DISARRAY'S BOSS 83 your father was a hamster and your mother smelled of elderberries!

[@Flornmonk]

"The biggest ones are only 6 - 8 inches" That's fucking huge though.

[@censusgary]

Yes, it is, for an arachnid.

[@angelbear_og]

Right? When I find a spider in my house I'm shrieking, "ERMAGERD it's HUUUUUGE!!!" and it's about the size of a quarter (or probably less...). I'd probably die of a damn heart attack if I ran across something like this!

[@clos1393]

I know, right!! Big as a large man's hand.

[@greensteve9307]

As an Aussie, I have to concede that 20cm is a decent size for a spider. The biggest Australian Huntsman I've ever seen was that big.

[@thebossofbox]

thats 5-7 inches bigger than any spider where i live

[@dannycolwell8028]

“They can’t hurt you” eats it’s way into a huge birds guts

[@m.rasheed1214]

Yeah, those two combined don't compute.

[@shadowthetwisted]

*huge* its smaller than the spider. whats your definition of huge?

[@timelapsed6185]

Birds don't really have thick skin

[@Goldenkitten1]

A birds skin is MUCH thinner than a humans, plus it was only slightly larger than the camel spider so it was either young or just a tiny bird (don't know my birds).

[@idreadFell365]

The bird wasn’t huge at all.

[@bicokun]

Camel spiders can’t beat a beetle in single combat. Learned that in Afghanistan.

[@1insane614]

Elaborate. Now

[@jeffryburns2206]

They can beat a scorpion 1 on one,, learned that in iraq

[@tonyallen9733]

Camel spider can slaughter a whole colony of ants. It don’t even kill them. It cripples them then push them out the way literally

[@danielchamberlain1687]

They not spiders nor camels I learned that in North Korea

[@markblair8342]

Explain this then lol kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z2LIe31jnpiYfLc

[@dreamyrhodes]

>pretty harmless >eats bird alife

[@arkanakra3664]

Staying alife

[@gregoryashton]

I think you meant *alfie coz the bird is called alfie, right? 🤪

[@gregoryashton]

Pelosi Is Drunk Haha, I know. I was being facetious. I see English isn’t your best friend either as I got your unedited reply in my notifications 😂

[@drcocbloc1615]

@@gregoryashton Don't be a smug prick, nobody appreciates that

[@JonHuhnMedical]

"The largest are only 6 to 8 inches." I'm out.

[@obtuseangle14]

So 6 inches in considered huge……… good to know

[@alfredgomez3128]

Yeah, still a lot of spider. One inch or less is tolerable to most.

[@AManWithAVoice]

Its as big as me

[@tokidokiaudiobooks]

@@AManWithAVoice Damn you are short as hell bro

[@Konghammer1]

My friend has a video from overseas that disproves the size claim. Dude had a size 14 boot, we found one under a truck that was bigger than his foot. Not a human killer but shit that was freaky to see scuttling around.

[@jimjohnson6944]

That mating ritual is something I really would love to unhear.

[@piscessoedroen]

i mean, it's literally just foreplay -> fuck -> foreplay. idk what's wrong with it

[@Born2kill2891]

When I was deployed to Iraq, I had one of these latch onto and climb up my leg. I kicked as hard as I could and it flew 15ft, got back up and sprinted back at me. I was in full kit (85+lbs) but easily could've outran a gold medal olympic sprinter with as fast as I ran

[@MinuteEarth]

Camel-spiderman is going to make a heck of an addition to the Marvel lineup. Thanks for the back story Emily!

[@thebrainscoop]

MinuteEarth I need to see a mockup of this character STAT

[@craftyushioni]

The Mary Jane Watson character in this new Marvel property will have a nasty surprise on their wedding night :X

[@DCsk8rgoelz]

+

[@eyeswideopen2536]

Camel toe spider girl sounds more interesting

[@MrKevin486]

Is that just a female spiderman with a HUGE cameltoe?

[@jaysin8969]

"Not harmful" Australia: "We don't do that here"

[@tlkfanrwbyfan8716]

“Not harmful.” Australia: We do that here.

[@sebastiangarza9060]

"Not harmful" Australia: Wait, they don't even live here...

[@tintaire]

We only have two categories. Ones that can kill you and ones that can kill you but in a scarier way.

[@thatsnodildo1974]

And that's why it is not in Australia

[@thatsnodildo1974]

@@tintaire ones that kill you fast than ones that kill you slowly. Both extremely paintul

[@moppupaws]

male camel spiders really take "eating a girl out" to a whole new level.

[@dennisdanner4273]

x'D Good one!

[@deathdealer20069]

Yup, I’ve been be of those soldiers that has been chased. Wasn’t fun being chased, ran for about 50-60 meters before I found refuge on top of a humvee. The camel spider was then content with the shade of the humvee.

[@LibertysTeeth83]

I've seen these things make entire rooms full of soldiers scream like a bunch of little girls LOL

[@sdmmatebele2484]

😅😅😅

[@gotemabk9024]

Id shit bricks if i seen one.

[@richardpearce2186]

We would catch them and make them battle scorpions and mice to the death/meal

[@ZeeNastee]

@@richardpearce2186 Going to set up a dog fighting ring next?

[@danieldunlap4077]

@@ZeeNastee that's spoken like someone who never went on a deployment and was bored with nothing to do.

[@TeaBurn]

>Say they're harmless and can't break skin >Shows it eating a goddamn bird alive bigger than it itself Nightmares ensured nonetheless. And despite not having venom, liquefying it's prey before sucking it's juices out is just as terrifying. Looks like it could a cousin to the facehugger.

[@jesusramirezromo2037]

Tea Burn Almost all arachnids liquifi their prey alive

[@nevaehsmiracleconnieelliot2297]

What's a face hugger?

[@Prophet_of_gecko_jesus0001]

@@nevaehsmiracleconnieelliot2297 Nightmare fuel. for the longest time I used to have a fear of those things.

[@abyssstrider2547]

@@nevaehsmiracleconnieelliot2297 And once the egg lays a chestburster will litteraly burst out of your chest making a huge gap in hole

[@moonpaints4090]

Birds have thinner skin than we do so yes it can eat little birds but not humans.

[@wallomuscle]

It’s all fun and games to talk about how harmless they are. Everyone still screams when one runs after you

[@toboe156]

Anything is harmless after a few carefully placed burst shots.

[@mostlyraptor9048]

Except an explosive barrel

[@o.fm.a5573]

"that sounds like a couple dates I've been on" that was gold right there

[@CW257866]

Yeah, it was funny, but also kinda just made me sad.

[@dritzzjoney]

Sounds like a good time to me

[@johnschmidt2123]

Her picker is broken, bad.

[@michaelpuckett6138]

I was thinking the same thing right when she said it. To funny.

[@starkicker5623]

she's cute and a freak...no normal people left im afraid

[@bskilla4892]

I thought these things were scary, but after hearing how they have sex *they are ABSOLUTELY TERRIFYING*

[@templar19]

"They bring that insect close to their jaws." Cuts to a spider eating a bird. 😳

[@themanfromtaured114]

I don't know what she's smoking but as An afghan man I have been bitten once in Afghanistan by on those Camel spider they're so nasty trust me it's hurts so bad 🤢

[@novanoir8309]

"They're pretty harmless" She said 😆

[@donaldburkhard7932]

Saw some in Saudi and we used to “freeze” with can of air, which is pressurized and cold. Then we could move them out of our area and they just warm up and start moving again.

[@crytlmeen]

NO way! That’s wild!

[@jonathandelangel5771]

Like a whole video game lol

[@boss_boom1037]

“She could eat him” “He could eat her” Sounds like a normal and typical date for me and I can relate to this.

[@junmatthewdelajoya9909]

69 the best position for that.

[@BLOODKINGbro]

@@junmatthewdelajoya9909 thought it was mantis style?

[@skrimpdick5583]

"And even though they're pretty fast, they still can't outrun you" Okay but I'm fat so they probably could

[@macnutz4206]

They can't outrun a .223 or a 9 MM. :):) Finding one in your boot would be exciting, especially if you you have just put your foot into the boot.

[@TragoudistrosMPH]

Let's hope you have thick skin! :)

[@skrimpdick5583]

@@TragoudistrosMPH I've got a lot of blubber if that counts for anything

[@gofigure4920]

If it catches up to me then my foot will stump it's guts and kick the shit out of it! 😠

[@LikeToWatch77]

10 mph is how fast the fastest of them run. It is the fastest known arthropod but if you can run 12 mph for 50 yards you can get away.

[@ytdubbleu4640]

"our skin is harder than you think" Paper: you're not that guy, trust me you're not that guy..

[@anthonyvillalba824]

😆

[@danevannett1149]

"So they bring that insect close to their Chilicerae" WHILE THEY'RE SHOWING A BIRD! 😨

[@anthonyvillalba824]

Yeah, I know. I think that freaked everyone's mind out.

[@WiicBoyHunto]

Bite doesnt break skin my ass bird probably thought the same thing 😂😂

[@reptilianoverlord9151]

I've been bit by the little bastards all the time, and they're bites don't even leave a mark. That bird is very small, and is easier for the arachnid to tear into.

[@TheRealAb216]

You do understand that our skin is much thicker and stronger than a birds right?

[@SSYabuddy]

It doesn’t leave a mark. Like being bit by a small lizard

[@michaelpuckett6138]

Bird. I’m not scared of you. Your harmless. Spider. Hold my beer.

[@WiicBoyHunto]

@@TheRealAb216 I can explain to you I was just trolling for the kicks but hey

[@Lord_and_Savior_Gay_Jesus]

"They're only 6-8 inches." Oh, really? I am scared to death of 1.5 inch centipedes. I'd perceive 6-8 inches as King Kong.

[@interstellaromelette9466]

Literally Shitler “the biggest ones are 6-8 inches” So they are slightly larger than a 6” sub from subway, which is pretty f***ing huge. Saying “oh, they’re only 7’’ “ is like saying “oh, it’s only a spider the size of a chihuahua

[@FunkyPhil265]

Elijah Cukryznski That... is actually a really apt but terrifying perspective. Oh god

[@DolusVulpes]

Okay, but it's still not as scary as a 6-8 inch centipede. Those exist, you know. In fact, there's a 12 inch centipede species out there.

[@interstellaromelette9466]

@@DolusVulpes huh, one hundred legs, but only one foot.

[@kylestanley7843]

@@interstellaromelette9466 you just made my day lol

[@lilpeepants4202]

"they cant break the skin" I've literally seen a dude get a chunk of his finger eaten by one of these demons

[@michaelamarie4288]

Oh shhhh*tt

[@keahilumho8914]

Wow, what a lovely interview. Such sincere passion and joy over the unknown…..such a blessing thank you all. Dr was too cute and so compassionate. May God bless all the works of your hands.

[@sidscifi]

Are we just going to ignore the fact that the spider is eating a BIRD and not an INSECT??

[@keatongill3984]

Yes, yes we are.

[@yungyosef]

Yes, mhm. What? Oh. Yes.

[@psyxxxo]

cant penetrate skin? and than show eating bird? non venimous ? she forget to say when that thing bite you and start chewing on you you do not feel a thing . may be she should sleep a night next to them to see what happens. BTW that bird was still alive when that thing was chewing on it , just for your own info that insect can paralise so you actually do not feel a thing.

[@croaton07]

@@psyxxxo Our skin bub, not a birds skin. Our skin is one of the thickest in the animal kingdom and is quite literally designed to be our first and best line of defense. Comparing a bird the size of a baseball to a human is a bit comical.

[@stanervin6108]

@@croaton07I'm not that dumb. Many creatures have hides or skin tougher than humans. Rhinos Elephants Hippopotamus Cows Bison Moose Beavers Anteaters Armadillos Most apes and primates I could sit here and type for a few days, but unlike some others, I have a life. Read less

[@pimpminya7131]

Camel spider foreplay is hardcore.

[@mountainman5173]

On par with Klingon mating rituals...

[@AtemiRaven]

@@mountainman5173 You know I have never been this curious about a piece of star trek lore and now I am suddenly super curious.

[@awkwardDebs]

Look up the mating habits of Darwin's bark spiders ;)

[@ThisIsNotADramaChannelFR]

Dx

[@tiltedcloudz]

@@awkwardDebs im too scared too knowing that its probably worse than the camel spider ;-;

[@unarri]

Thank you youtube for showing me this. The camel spider is an interesting creature that I had no idea about until today. Also I love the energy they have talking about them. When you see someone truly passionate about what they do, it's amazing to witness.

[@Menoetius.]

Very cool video and I appreciate the people on camera didn't take themselves too seriously. Just down to earth and being cool

[@thefastestsluginthewest6505]

Me: *It's kinda hard to believe that spiders and scorpions are related...* Mother Nature: *Here's a tailless scorpion thing with spider legs and a giant spider head. Enjoy the nightmares!*

[@RL-DarkSpark]

I love your name

[@thefastestsluginthewest6505]

@@RL-DarkSpark same, but I didn’t think my comment was cursed enough to summon Deleto Blue...

[@RL-DarkSpark]

@@thefastestsluginthewest6505 In this case I'm Retweeto blue because you posted awesome content👍

[@REPVILE]

It gets better, there is a creature looks like a scorpion with a stingerless tail and sprays a substance that smells like vinegar

[@TheMoose126]

@@REPVILE a Vinegaroon?

[@besmart]

Both. Your. Outfits. Are. Perfect.

[@thebrainscoop]

I like to look fashionable while someone tells me about traumatic insemination in invertebrates

[@Alex-ki1yr]

It's Okay To Be Smart - especially given that snippet of vid of the camel spider eating that bird... (Which, by the way: holy hell...)

[@nlabonte]

I didn't notice Dr. Cushing's shirt until four minutes in... where does one buy a camel spider-patterned shirt, anyway?

[@cait_o_saurus]

It's Okay To Be Smart Yes! I always love Emily's dresses they're so cool and that shirt is incredible

[@azdgariarada]

@nlabonte... on the web.

[@georgealderson4424]

A great interview. The interviewer did not continually interupt as some do and the expert explained in understandable ways which some do not! Altogether and great way to start a Monday morning. Thank you.

[@horrorking1000]

"sounds like a couple dates I've been on" oh, okay lmao

[@aftoniospizzashop]

girl I was like are u okay 😂

[@andymesa3307]

The look on Emily's face during the mating description was everything. This was great. Thank you.

[@JnixMarshel]

Then she says "sounds like a couple dates I've been on" Yep. She's a freak. Lol

[@fermentingdragon]

finally something terrifying that doesnt live in australia

[@Jadesbrother]

ectoplasmLunatic not yet anyway people try to bring all kinds of stuff with them when they travel.

[@dickpunchlollipop]

Not venomous. Bite doesn't break the skin. They'd last two seconds here.

[@G1Bryce]

Some dumbass will import them as pets and then release them. Just wait. Australia will be the first one with a highly toxic 2 ft camel spider

[@Bl4ckD0g]

@@G1Bryce Adapt to survive. It's not venomous now, but give it enough time in the hell of the Australian outback and it'll probably evolve to be.

[@renoloverxoxo]

That's probably the least terrifying thing in that part of the world.

[@jaydubz1918]

“Sounds kind of like a few dates I’ve had” 😂😂😂

[@amirmoradi9595]

Dr Cushing's research needs more funding, she's still using Windows 7

[@thegreatape170]

I agree about the funding part, but i think most scientists still use win7

[@halla3184]

**Shows clip of camel spider eating bird** wait a minute Dr. Paula is wearing a shirt with a camel spider print Emily is wearing a dress with small birds on it Conclusion? Dr. Paula is gonna eat Emily. _Run Emily, run!!!_

[@JnixMarshel]

Haha. That's gold.

[@MarEXksz]

😂🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@TragoudistrosMPH]

How did I not notice that? (Probably mesmerized by the bird being eaten...)

[@peterj.a.7902]

Lol, too funny

[@chadleach6009]

Gigidy

[@alanmalcheski8882]

she's right. I've been racing against camel spiders for 9 years. Never lost. ok one race but the spider started before the gun.

[@iambiggus]

Alan Malcheski She doesn’t mention that they are filthy cheaters

[@alanmalcheski8882]

iambiggus you are the cheater. You! So there.

[@soccercaballo510]

Alan Malcheski lol

[@iambiggus]

Alan Malcheski Shhh!!! You’re gonna blow up my spot!!

[@junmatthewdelajoya9909]

Try to race against camel toes. It's exhausting 😔

[@TurdFergusson318]

I was more afraid of the camel spiders in Afghanistan than I was of being shot or blown up.

[@theclimbto1]

Right. We were told they have an anesthetic, so you couldn't feel them eating your face (or the camel couldn't feel them eating their way inside). We were told this by Medical Doctors for the US ARMY. So it's pretty surprising to hear these things don't attack or anything. I mean, we were shown pictures of Soldiers with parts of their faces gone in our Briefings. Feels weird they'd just make that up and make it a CLASS when in-boarding into Iraq.

[@Goldenkitten1]

@@theclimbto1 When was this? If it was back in Desert Storm or even Iraq in the early 2000's our knowledge about these buggers was literally none because the only place they live in the US is the Sierra desert so not many people had ever even seen one, much less let it bite them. Not to mention that out of proportion picture that did the rounds for a few years. They may have decided in light of little knowledge it was best to just tell servicemen to stay away and made some shit up to insure they would.

[@theclimbto1]

@@Goldenkitten1 Back in 08.

[@bo-dine7971]

@@theclimbto1 Man they done y'all dirty oh my, that's taking a practical joke too far hahaha.

[@hughtuck5147]

totally fascinating - thanks to you two for cramming loads of sensible info into just a few minutes :-)))

[@roflcopterannoysme]

"Sounds like a couple of dates I've been on" Girl.

[@kadecooke9963]

😂 I was like, some dude chewed your insides and came all up in it and pushed it in with his jaw then booked it??

[@southfloridaarcheryguy114]

I know!

[@jaschabull2365]

I mean, maybe it just meant some playful neck-biting followed by some head from him, then he took off before she could ask him for a second date?

[@kadecooke9963]

@@jaschabull2365 😂 Ik its just funny after the horrific details of their mating.

[@palasta]

Romance.

[@perineum6]

Let's not discount the soldier's ability to exaggerate a story. I used to be one. I've heard a few stories.

[@sausagedog98]

We call that spinning dits here

[@gildedvulture7965]

Cotton Hill said he killed fitty men in WWll

[@jimmccormick6091]

If I said it once, I said it 4 million times- stop exaggerating!

[@alexanderroloff8093]

As a former soldier...nope we got chased by them. Ended up with 4 guys running screaming and 2 guys shooting it. Hate those things!!! Remind me of arachnaphobia the movie spiders...watched a hole bunch burst a dead donkey while I was there too. Think we were more afraid of those things than anything the Iraqis could throw at us. What's a roadside bomb...you don't feel it and your gone....those were demons spiders!!!!!

[@lolasdm6959]

@@alexanderroloff8093 They don't even bite you

[@chrissesock4245]

What a dope channel to randomly stumble upon. Very cool.

[@NiffirgkcaJ]

It's really nice listening to Dr. Paula, she's so dedicated and seems really fond of her study~ awesome~

[@joshuarosen6242]

I've always thought arachnids were fascinating. About 20 years ago I lived in a flat in London and a beautiful large orb web spider made a web on our window. She lived there for a few months but one day she just disappeared. I presume she was eaten by a bird but I was genuinely sad. The spot she had chosen was absolutely perfect for watching her and it was amazing to watch how she spun her webs and caught her prey. She provided hours of entertainment. I miss her.

[@collectiveleak]

I've never been sad for a spider before. Poor spider

[@aaronmarks9366]

Sweet baby

[@richardbidinger2577]

Its possible your spider wasn't catching much prey and chose to move to a new location, or her web simply got old and she needed to spin a new one. I don't think their webs stay sticky forever, it could also be that the web was too exposed to the elements and she just moved to somewhere more protected.

[@slaughterhouse5585]

I had a black widow spider once that I kept in a jar and I fed her insects. I named her Hillary.

[@deannasmith4443]

@@richardbidinger2577 orb weavers eat their webs in order to recycle the material. if the web was still there it's not likely the spider was still alive.

[@2akAt74k]

"the biggest ones are only six to eight inches" "sixty-eight inches???"

[@pencilRC1]

Hah, hah hah, comedy

[@kenannetekimpasaevren7420]

Madagascar 2 reference

[@gotyouchip1179]

No! Six TO eight months Actual quote is 6 to 9 tho obviously

[@pittibarlin8692]

Most women would be happy with 'only' 8 inches. Just not when it comes to nightmare spid-pions.

[@GeorgeVanAken]

Yeah, so ‘average’. 🤣

[@user-sn6dm8el6j]

I really enjoyed this episode! I've always heard horror stories of camel spiders but I never knew that they were not venomous.

[@Jenuin]

This was awesome and informative. Thank you.

[@MrKevin486]

"Harmless" *Catches and eats a live bird* Camel spider: "fookin wha you say about harmless mate?"

[@superlamenick172]

Me: very arachnophobic Me: oh hey this would be fun to watch

[@superlamenick172]

@bryan diaz varela why do we torture ourselves this way

[@BlueRGuy]

@@superlamenick172 I mean, it's technically not a spider

[@alexfagnan7469]

Masochists we are.

[@austintrousdale2397]

@@BlueRGuy Arthropodophobe, then

[@Schmage]

Same 😂

[@davidbutler1825]

I am amazed that the biologist could find such a cool shirt!! Also, the interviewer has the sweetest freckle on her left arm! I love it!

[@uzumakimashingon1883]

That was one heck of a mating ritual. But in all seriousness, I'm thankful for the video explaining this animal. I've seen the pictures and listen to the stories from veterans friends of mine and it was good to hear the real info. Thanks for the good work.

[@brianluna3982]

non venomous: .... doesn't exist in Australia

[@interstellaromelette9466]

Brian Luna seems about right. Australia: so your pretty terrifying Camel spider: aw thanks Australia: in fact, we could use another giant venomous spider around here so- Camel spider: oh, I’m not venomous. Australia: oh... well sorry about that, but that is a necessity so yeah. Hope you have a good day

[@brianluna3982]

Elijah Cukryznski 👍👍👍👍😂😂😂

[@terryaqualad6779]

@@interstellaromelette9466 sounds about right

[@Korj666]

Better to die of poison than to be devoured alive. And you don't need a strong poison to kill small animals. I get the impression that "nature" is deliberately trying to be more violent than rational.

[@genneth4986]

Did that spider eat a live bird 0.0

[@censusgary]

Yup.

[@thebrainscoop]

🔥🔥🔥

[@josuelservin2409]

I wasn't ready for that o.0 Really impressive critters tho

[@-.._.-_...-_.._-..__..._.-.-.-]

No, the bird was not eaten alive by a spider.

[@TurboBinch]

David S. Yes it was? It was flapping it's wings while the camel spider was giving it a dose of predigestive enzyme.

[@Mr.Snickenpoof]

so much nostalgia, I used to live near Denver and loved going there with my parents.

[@abdullaalali5969]

I swear videos like these always make me feel twitchy and always makes me check my surroundings every now and then

[@WolfTwisted]

I have some of these (not) little guys in my garden in West Texas. Gotta love them, I always put out halved coconut shells for them to crawl into. I felt bad everytime I watered my plants and they'd have to scurry away to avoid drowning. They're really pretty harmless and strangely curious.

[@blaedus5318]

@@kubel83, I compared them to termites.

[@kubel83]

Blaedus yeah I completely forgot about termites. Good call👍

[@Zeitgeist2000]

Uh these guys only exist in arabia and africa....

[@SNVRC]

@@Zeitgeist2000 no they do live in USA too. I used to see a couple every night when I lived Las Vegas, NV and fueled heavy equipment they are fast and love to run non stop hated those things

[@reservoirfrogs2177]

@@SNVRC had one crawl into my house in California as well

[@jackdunne6152]

Favorite quote from this video: deserts are at risk from irrigation.

[@johnboylong40]

Sahara swings from tropical oasis to desert around every 20,000 years. Media should enjoy that long run of climate change programming. I’ll be dead and won’t care though.

[@austintrousdale2397]

Death Valley: Come at me, bro

[@BrainUndead80]

@@johnboylong40 The Sahara used to be lush forest and grassland but was over farmed and too much cattle... I know CO2 from humans absolutely does not contribute to climate warming change but as far as geological studies show that one was evidently due to humans. Last I checked, anyway. Also, while it's cyclically been dry before, there's no evidence it was that huge, a literal ocean of sand... it's not really foreseeable that it will naturally be fertile again; it's frikkin sand. Just a FYI, have a good one.

[@BikingVikingHH]

Liberals will always claim any change is a problem, unless it’s the collapse of western civ, then it’s a good change.

[@paulfrazee9658]

Totally fascinating/ thank you for a great video

[@catatonicbug7522]

I remember seeing that same picture, and a few others, showing those giant creatures! I always wondered why there wasn't more coverage about them on nature documentaries!

[@agilemapoe3052]

I love, admire and respect scientists especially when they love what they do that most people wouldn't consider important!

[@SgtMantis]

I've seen grown men screaming like children while running from these.

[@deano2506]

I'd run, they're scary looking🤣

[@patrickd7890]

in afghan?

[@SgtMantis]

@@patrickd7890 Iraq

[@thatloserwhoplays]

I see three quarter inch ones in my room sometimes and I scream at each one

[@Roy_Dudson]

HOOOAH! I'd run too, and rightfully so.

[@CHICOB4261]

I remember these creatures when I was stationed in Barstow, CA. They were very aggressive but I never heard of them harming anyone.

[@diegomartinez8023]

Ayo bro I'm in Victorville, u telling me these little shits are in my area?!?!?!?!

[@lasvegasloner4621]

LOVED discovering this video and the interview. As a guy in his 50's that was somewhat discouraged from studying animals like "Camel spiders" and any critter remotely like them when I was a kid, it's great to see some focus and fame on them. Back in the 70's when I could not resist watching spiders, insects, birds, organisms in the rivers nearby (upstate N.Y.)... I had read about these camel spiders and always wanted to see one. Back then, the books I had only called them "Wind Scorpions" and so I still call them that; I tend to try and respect the easiest form of things if it fits well, because changes often don't help high numbers of people understand each other if it's jus common names. I understand when the researchers and those contributing to the science of them have to change the scientific name. That usually makes sense. In my childhood days, they were called "wind scorpions" because they "ran like the wind". I prefer that over some name a bunch of my fellow military ruffians called them. That's right- I got a chance to see the huge "Wind scorpions" when I was in Saudi Arabia for operation Southern watch, which was the tense after party of the first Gulf war trying to keep an eye on Saddam Hussein while his boys kept launching scud missiles even after we took over the middle of the country. I tried to tell the guys those "camel spiders" were actually from a family called solifugids and the common name was "Wind Scorpion", but they (as rednecks like my beginnings and many G.I.'s would have it) kept on insisting they attacked camels, just from their appearance and listening to equally clueless troops over my nerdy tendencies. Which reminds me... even Dr. Cushing calls them "Solfugids", and from the book I had as a kid in the 70's, to several other sources... I always read "Solifugids". I've been corrected by others saying it's "Solfugids", but I think they may be mistaken. I wonder, is it a habit developed out of unintentional laziness because when glanced at quickly, the word can appear to not have that "i"? Not that it matters that much, but as long as we're talking to the experts. Having said all that, Dr. Cushing seems like the ultimate scientist to work for. I wish I was younger and had the energy to start school again. I'd work towards that field for sure, and hopefully end up at the Denver museum.... but I also would love to work at the field museum!! I hear they haver the man eaters of Tsavo there! Also... I sadly missed the Columbia exposition featured there a few years back or so. I hope they do it again. Great

[@FizzedGG]

So your gunna sit there and tell me Camel spiders invented the ole Smash and Dash....... well ill be damned

[@deannasmith4443]

when your mate has a propensity to literally eat you afterwards...

[@Konpekikaminari]

"Neither camels, nor spiders! So... what are they?" Nightmares incarnate that's what they are

[@KB4QAA]

Wow. I've never before heard any of this information. Thanks.

[@bradt2048]

Been in AZ for all of 27 years of my life. My 3 year old daughter and myself just had our 1st encounter of one today near the foundation of our home.. super creepy!! another great video! Thank you Emily

[@LamdaComplex]

I was eating a burrito while watching this... I lost my appetite real fast.

[@Justasweird]

Emily, you and your team do an amazing job turning what could be a rather dry conversation with a variety of personality types into fun, informative and accessible videos. Love ya stuff 😎

[@babyoda1973]

I love them I got one for my 25 birthday. Best present ever. Thank you Adam Harper.

[@edsonfcordeaca4958]

excellent report interview..congrats from Brazil !

[@AdahliaBiPunk]

Good to see such a cool video on such an uncommonly talked about arachnid. Really enjoyed this video and loved the passion that Paula showed for these creatures. Great video as always!!

[@SuzanneBaruch]

I was so busy coveting Dr. Cushing's shirt that I could hardly pay attention! No, but seriously, this was a very good video and it cleared up so many misconceptions that I had. Thank you for posting this!

[@kenlee5509]

LOL, Me too! I want shiirrrt!

[@DukeBG]

Wow, I didn't notice the print at all until this comment

[@TroyRubert]

This world is incredible there is so much wonder and beauty in it.

[@spiderpickle3255]

0:58 that photobomb 😂 but seriously would love to spend a day talking arachnids with Dr. Cushing.

[@LadyMaria]

My husband once found one of these guys outside at his workplace. He thought it was a great find so he chased it around with a cup until he caught it then brought it home and gave it to me as a belated birthday present. One of the most interesting gifts I've gotten.

[@kR-qj7rw]

babe look what i got at work! *angry arachnid in a cup*

[@grapeshot]

I seen them when I was over in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait when I was in the military. Definitely something that looks scarier than what it is.

[@officernasty2648]

Working in saudi, i used to chase them into the sun to hear them scream. Quite vocal these ugly little bastards

[@brian_7934]

Dr. Paula seems so cool and down to earth!!

[@HybridSpektar]

"Sounds like a few dates I've been on" Makes me wonder what kind of a guys she's dating.

[@rhondawentzell6959]

She’s probably a man hater or a liar

[@randomguy51090]

They obviously go down on her each time and use teeth

[@HybridSpektar]

@@rhondawentzell6959 She doesn't look like a Feminazi

[@HybridSpektar]

@@randomguy51090 If she joked about it like that there is some grain of truth to that.

[@jimijenkins2548]

well obviously she dated a camel spider, which, as I learned today, is neither a camel nor a spider.

[@jackdaniel8628]

"6-8 inches" How tiny...

[@interstellaromelette9466]

Jack Daniel yeah, the thing is similar in size to a chihuahua

[@danlorett2184]

Most of them are way smaller than that.

[@davidgutierrez8297]

Now to wallow in self depression...

[@angotwelve]

Yess, this is the episode my heart has been waiting for

[@MrBillblake123]

Those looks on Emily's face when they were talking about the mating of these Camel Spiders is beyond precious!

[@mbrsart]

I see these lil guys in my barn and my shop every once in a while. They're pretty cool.

[@thesmartonepoint0]

I love how excited she is about camel spiders. Inspirational.

[@zentouro]

someone's doing their best camel spider impression at 0:58

[@thebrainscoop]

Baaah! I didn't 'even see that! that girl rules

[@PaulPaulPaulson]

The girl is even better at it than the dino

[@ghost-dude867]

Absolute favorite creature! Those little dudes are so fascinating!!!!

[@rhysjones81]

The Denver Museum of Nature and Science looks like a great location for a left for dead 2 escape finale. Also thanks for clearing up the stigma on these. I encountered one whilst on guard in Camp Bastion in Afghanistan, it ran behind the fridge we had, we decided that we couldn't leave it there, when it realised we weren't going to leave it alone, it shot out the door so fast we could barely follow it. Scary, but apparently all bark :)

[@Dudeman9339]

KZbin are you okay? this was on my home page under the topic "NBA"... yeah the basketball one. lol

[@drowSyG13]

Forreals i wamted to wake up amd eatch paul George&kawhi news and I fucking hate spiders and youtube recommends it? Fuk out of here haha

[@Bear-pw7nu]

National BUG association

[@3dagalathor]

that woman getting interviewed is wearing a camel spider shirt

[@moonpaints4090]

And the bird pattern dress lol!

[@saulm58]

The blouse of Dr. Paula Cushing shows her passion and love for those little creatures.

[@straycat1674]

I remember when I was stationed in the desert, one of many times, people would be running at night around the track with her little flashlights. And camel spiders would chase them. All the stuff we like to say about them in the desert, we know is not true. But somewhere deep inside I think many people are afraid that maybe it just are.

[@nop2774]

that last sentence needs to be on a t-shirt or bumper sticker or something

[@UtahSustainGardening]

Good call. I have heard a bunch of crap from service members, but the ones I trust never seem to have those experiences.