The Sun Spider Is an Arachnid but Not an Actual Spider

Sun spiders are moderately small to large arachnids, with a body length ranging from 1 to 8 inches (2 to 20 centimeters) depending on the species.

Their coloration varies from pale yellow to reddish-brown, helping them blend into sandy environments. They are often confused with tailless whip scorpions or true camel spiders, but sun spiders can be identified by their massive, forward-facing jaws, which make up about one-third of their body size.

Their body is divided into seven segments, with four pairs of walking legs and two pairs of leg-like pedipalps, which they use to sense and manipulate their environment. Unlike spiders, solifugae lack venom glands and silk-spinning abilities.

Despite their intimidating appearance, sun spiders are not dangerous to humans. Because solifugae lack venom glands, they cannot inject venom into their prey or potential threats. However, their powerful jaws can deliver a painful pinch.

These arachnids focus their hunting efforts on other arthropods and insects, making them valuable predators in their ecosystems.

Sun spiders thrive in arid and semiarid regions, including deserts and subtropical areas. You're most likely to encounter them in sandy environments or dry, open landscapes.

They are particularly common in the Middle East, Africa and the southwestern United States. These arachnids are nocturnal hunters, often hiding under rocks or burrowing in sand during the day to escape the heat.

Sun spiders are attracted to areas with abundant prey, such as insects and other arthropods. They prefer loose, sandy soil for burrowing and rely on sheltered spots like crevices or under rocks for protection during the day.

Insects, their primary food source, play a major role in determining where sun spiders are found.

To deter sun spiders, keep outdoor areas tidy and free of debris where they might hide. While they pose no danger, limiting their access to potential hiding spots can reduce encounters around homes or campsites.

Now, for all you Spider-Verse fans: Did you know there's a Marvel superhero from Earth-20023 inspired by sun spiders? Charlotte Webber — aka Charlie, aka Sun-Spider — is an LGBTQ superhero with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome who uses her incredible web-slinging abilities and agility to fight crime.

Her story adds important disability representation to the Spider-Verse, showing that heroes come in all forms. Unlike a real-life sun spider, which doesn't spin webs, Marvel's Sun-Spider uses her webs to swing through the city and battle villains.

She's an inspiring addition to the growing roster of spider people, including Gwen Stacy, Miles Morales, Peter Parker and Silk.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.