FReeper Canteen~ Camel Spiders Found in Iraq , Urban Legends and Folklore ~Sept.21,2006

[fatima]

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Camel Spiders Found in Iraq , Urban Legends and Folklore Urban Legends:Subject: FW: Camel Spider found in Iraq--This is a huge spider!!!! Yuck. I sure am glad we don't have these here. Although we probably will after this war..... This picture is a perfect example of why you don't want to go to the desert. These are 2 of the biggest I've ever seen. With a vertical leap that would make a pro basketball player weep with envy (they have to be able to jump up on to a camels stomach after all), these spiders latch on and inject you with a local anesthesia so you can't feel it feeding on you. They eat flesh, not just suck out your juices like a normal spider. Comments: The photo appears to be authentic. Fortunately for all of us — especially the guys in the picture — the same cannot be said of the accompanying text, which merely repeats false rumors circulating since the start of the Iraq war. This scary-looking creature (actually, it's a pair of scary-looking creatures dangling end-to-end) is indeed commonly called a camel spider, but it is found in arid locales all over the world — including the southwestern United States — not just in the Gulf region. A typical specimen can grow to about the size of a child's hand, but, though they are known for being vicious predators, camel spiders are neither venomous nor a threat to human beings. They don't eat camels, either.

World's Tallest Woman Netlore Archive: Emailed photos purport to show the tallest woman in the world Description: Emailed photos Circulating since: 2002 Status: False

The Giant Grizzly Bear Not quite a world record In real life, the big grizzly in the first two photographs measured 10' 6" from nose to tail and weighed an estimated 1,000 to 1,200 pounds — unusually large for the vicinity in which it was found, says the USDA Forest Service, but not quite a world record, nor even a record for Alaska. It was killed on October 14, 2001 by U.S. Air Force Airman Theodore Winnen on Hinchinbrook Island, Prince William Sound. The photos were taken by his hunting partner, Staff Sgt. James Urban. Both were stationed at Eielson Air Force Base near Fairbanks at the time. Though the bear was within 10 yards of the hunters' position and moving towards them when he fired the first shot, Winnen says, it did not charge them, contrary to what the email claims. "I don't know if the wind was in our favor or what," he told the Anchorage Daily News. "We were dressed in camouflage. He might not have seen us." Winnen's weapon was a 338-caliber Winchester Magnum, not a 7mm semi-automatic as alleged. The first bullet pierced the bear's brain but left it standing; five more in the chest brought it down.

[fatima]

Yuck.I just had to look them up:)

[Eagle Eye]

I know...just can't cc ping people..

Home for good?

Gonna relax and spend some quality time with your dollars?

[AZamericonnie]

Be safe road traveller! I hope your trip is going well! *Hugs*

[fatima]

Neat.

[Kathy in Alaska]

lauren....((HUGS))....glad to hear that you made it safely!

[OldArmy94]

There is an awesome video on youtube.com with a camel spider attacking giant Iraqi ants. It's hilarious to watch "him" chomping down on the ants. From what I understand, most of the stuff you hear about them is just legend but they evidently do have a rather painful set of jaws if you get a finger too close.

[AZamericonnie]

Unusual in good way I hope!

[Allegra]

Home for good?

I've been home since Labor Day and I go back in a few days. I think I've gained five pounds.

But only until just after New Year's. Then it's home for good!

Are you staying put?

[fatima]

Well I had a few that I researched but this one was so yuck that I had to do it.:)

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Allegra....have you seen those yucky spiders in the sandbox? They give me the creeps just looking at the pictures.

[fatima]

They do have long legs Allegra.Your right.

[Eagle Eye]

Don't have the capability; used to have a couple other freepers post pics for me.

Probably a good thing....I've got hundreds of pics of Iraq, Baghdad, Anaconda, Al Asad, Fallujah, Ramadi, etc, and points in between...and I'd end up boring everyone eventually.

Even have a pic of me and Allegra in Kuwait!

[Allegra]

Geez Allegra! Kick the slippah off, hold it in your hand and whack the spidah!

You're cracking me up. LOL!

[laurenmarlowe]

Hi there Connie dear! *HUGS* I hope you're doing well!

Thanks, am enjoying the drive, it's really beautiful here, parts of our Country I have not seen in eons.

Having a blast! Tomorrow, Virginia!

[fatima]

Hi SevenofNine,missed you.Want a spider:)

[AZamericonnie]

Well honey if it's protein ya need may I suggest this over a can of worms?:)

[luvie]

Great news, Lauren! Glad you had a safe trip so far!

((((hugs))))..y'all. Had any grits yet? :D

[Allegra]

have you seen those yucky spiders in the sandbox?

Hi, Kathy!

Oh, yes. Twice. And one of them was a little too close for comfort. He was IN MY HOOCH.

[Kathy in Alaska]

wh!!

tom.....#50 and #100!!
Rebel.....#150!!

[fatima]

Glad you got there safe laurenmarlowe.Thank goodness you don't have camel spiders there:)