Damn, but they’ve got some big spiders in Iraq! Thanks to my friend Ed for emailing this. Next time, warn me so I don’t start screaming.
UPDATE: Why, yes, that is two spiders. And, yes, they are going at it… carefully, it would appear.
Friday, April 16th, 2004, 2:40 pm | 
Odd Bites, War Bites | 
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April 16, 2004 at 6:08 pm
i don’t like spiders. to kill two in copulation is a score!
ever been bitten by a fiddleback?
April 16, 2004 at 7:35 pm
That’s an urban myth. Those are camel spiders but they don’t get bigger than 5 inches legspan or so and they are, in fact, not spiders but a form of primitive scorpion. They look that big because they are either very close to the camera or have been photoshopped or both.
I guess five inches is fairly big, put two and a half of them together and they’s stretch from the base of my erect penis to it’s mighty head.
Nasty looking though. They spiders that is, not my handsome organ.
April 17, 2004 at 7:57 am
Those aren’t even spiders. Spiders, by definition, have eight legs. Those “camel spiders” (aka wind scorpions) have ten legs and are part of the arthropod family (kin to scorpions). And yes, they are the subject of an urban myth but are still a scary site to behold if you’re in the desert and see one running at you.
April 17, 2004 at 10:09 am
*shivers*
I cannot stop shivering. That freaks me out!!!!!!
April 17, 2004 at 10:09 am
Huh. I thought spiders were part of the arthropod family, too. But I’m just a biologist.
April 17, 2004 at 11:12 am
Hey, I don’t care if they’re spiders or scorpions or whatever. I’m just glad they’re not here!
April 17, 2004 at 1:57 pm
The previous comments are completely correct. In fact, the biggest spider in the world is the goliath bird-eating spider, found in the northeastern jungles of S. America, which can get to be 11″ (dinner plate sized) and which is more than big enough for me which is why I live in N.Y. and not in the rainforest.
April 18, 2004 at 5:35 am
Eewww…
April 19, 2004 at 6:26 am
Kate, solifugids are found on every continent except Antarctica, so they get around. Not only do they have attitude but the suckers are fast too. Don’t worry, they don’t bite humans-much.
April 19, 2004 at 9:46 am
Yeah, but at that size when they bite, they really bite.
June 16, 2004 at 11:15 pm
This is reply to “Amos”,referance,”camel spiders”.First,they are NOT a primitive form of scorpion…they are Solifugids,Solifugae…of the Eremobatidae family.And the photo of the two being held up by a soldier in Iraq has’nt been “faked!Some solifugids can measure up to 10 in. in body length and have voracious appetites.They have been an scary addition to many a soldiers sleeping bag and can bite…painfully.But they produce no venom nor do they have silk glands for web building..like true spiders.Annd just for info…I caught a fairly large solifugid other nite….measures almost 4…YES..4 in. body length.I’ve taken pics and will post if you want…I’ve been doing research and 1 to 2 in. is considered normal.I get the creeps from them,but have a morbid curiosity too…lol..hope this makes ya all check under the covers tonite..just to be on the safe side….lol