The University of Edinburgh's Home Page
Sculptures by Phyllis Bone

ORDER SOLIFUGAE


Solifuges are known as wind scorpions in Africa due to ability to run at high speeds and as Sun-spiders elsewhere due to their imagined diurnal habits. They possess large chelicerae each composed of articulating jaws; the pedipalps are leg-like and end in adhesive organs. The prosoma is covered by anterior and posterior plates. Wind scorpions have a reputation for ferocity and may take mice and small birds but their usual prey is invertebrates like locusts.