Solifugids are tropical and subtropical arachnids. The chelicerae of these animals are huge (the large structures beneath the eyes in the photo below) and by all accounts solifugids are quick, active predators. Just posterior to the chelicerae are the pedipalps which are used to help in the capture of prey. Although they are homologous to the pedipalps with enlarged chela (pincers) of true scorpions, the chela on solifugid pedipalps are much less conspicuous and pedipalps look much like walking legs.
In solifugids, the first pair of what are the walking legs in most orders are modified to act as sensory organs (as in amblypygids, thelyphonids, schizomids, and palpigrades). These sensory legs are generally held upwards and forward, antenna-like, as the wind scorpion scurries about on six legs.
Some species from old world desert locales are rather large -- up to 7 cm long. Those found in the southern and western USA are considerably smaller and are generally secretive.

A member of the family Eremobatidae, (New Mexico, USA) © Copyright 2001 by Bryan E. Reynolds Hi Res

Eremobates pallipes (North Dakota, USA) © Copyright 2006 by Jerome Rovner Hi Res

last modified November 27, 2009