Disputes between Arabs and Israelis have reached the world of arachnids...

Ain't a scientist and biology isn't exactly my target of researches, but definitely I'm fascinating with spiders, I'm bored and I couldn't spend this opportunity.

Researchers at the University of Haifa in Israel, released on Tuesday images of a new spider species, of the same family as the Cerbalus Genus, discovered in the dunes of the Arava. According to biologists, their legs can reach 14 centimeters (5.5 inches), making it the largest spider in the Middle East.

Source (portuguese): Giant Israeli spider found

CERBALUS GENUS
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Ok guys, this is a big spider for sure, but not THAT big. There are some species of South American Tarantulas more impressive than that. How does this Israeli spider was measured, to be announced as the largest species of the Middle East? She has long legs, but don't have enough mass in the thorax-abdomen set, then such notice from the University of Haifa seems more like an unconscious propaganda, where nor even the animal kingdom is saved, in the endless disputes between Arabs and Israelis.

THERAPHOSA BLONDI aka "Tarantula Goliath"
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Ain't so sure if the Cerbalus Genus is the largest species of Middle East, specially after I was introduced to the notorious Eremobates Gladiolus aka Camel Spider (I found more two different scientific names: Galeodes sp and Syndaesia sp Someone, plz bring the light). Very common in Iraq desert rocky areas, can run 10 mph and can jump over three feet. The Camel Spider it's a predator that hunts at night, but doesn't always stay hidden during the day and has a habit of chasing large beings (as humans), trying to stay in their shadows, creating a myth spread by American soldiers, that she chases people sending a creepy cry of attack.

When a Camel Spider bites, it injects a Novocain-like (I said Novocain LIKE) toxin that instantly "numbs" the victim's skin and the surrounding tissue, that just can't feel the attack if was sleeping. When the victim wake up, will find part of the leg or arm severely chewed because the Camel Spider has been gnawing on it.

Eremobates Gladiolus aka "Camel Spider"
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(Is it a spider or a natural weapon?? Just take a look at this pair of cheliceras...)

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It's said that this species can reach 5-6 inches in length, but actually some of them can reach 10 inches (25 cm).

Some people have been claiming that the Camel Spider isn't poisonous... So I wonder what is inside of these testicle-like glands... Grape juice??

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(Yes, they are Camel Spider eggs)

Definitely, having these creatures lurking everywhere, the Iraqis should sleep with some footwear...

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Now, the gran-finale... watch a large Camel Spider eating a desert lizard



[edit on 12-1-2010 by ucalien]

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[edit on 12-1-2010 by ucalien]

Someone posted this yesterday
giant spider

You should have warnings before you post scary pictures like this! I wont sleep right for a week

I have seen the last spider, the camel one I believe, eat a bird. There is a picture on the internet of it. I actually believe it had "weave" in it's name. Either way it's huge and can eat lizards and birds, no thanks!

Ok, this was already posted, but I have to correct some wrong information here.

Cerbalus Aravensis is the scientific name of the newly discovered huntsman relative that took the crown as the largest spider in the Middle east.

CERBALUS GENUS is not the scientific name, however is the genus which includes this and other huntsman relatives.

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I'm almost tempted to copy and paste it from the other thread because I'm tired of explaining it over and over.

Camel spiders are solifugaes. They are neither spiders nor scorpions. (although again more closely related to scorpions.) They contain features of both spiders and scorpions which includes both a separation between the abdomen and cephalothorax which is inherent of spiders and a segmented abdomen which is inherent in scorpions. You may notice that it looks like they have fangs and venom glands. They are actually pincers.

Despite what people will try to tell you, they are not poisonous. I'm sure you have seen pictures of camel spider bites. The pictures floating around the net are usually from different spiders hoaxed as camel spider bite. If someone dies because of a camel spider bite it is only because it got infected.

Solifugaes which includes every species contained do not contain any type of venom whatsoever including the mythical anesthetic.

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Theraphosa Blondi is not called the Goliath Tarantula. It is called the Goliath Bird Eating Tarantula. You are correct in that the Goliath Bird Eater grows to be a ton bigger (largest I've seen was 10")

Hey, i certainly do not know if it is the biggest in the Middle East or not. I can completely see some subconscious need to overcompensate for small area of the country by claiming that we finally have something bigger - though just a spider.
Would love to get a macro of this beast. Night ,you say. Arava - you say.... Vacation - i need....