Camel Spiders in Doha???

My nephew, Chase, keeps asking us if we have seen a camel spider! I probably would not be staying in Doha if we had. Actually, I had never heard of a camel spider and so here are some of the findings that Chase has researched and shared with us! (BREE-WE HAVE NOT SEEN THESE IN DOHA!)

The information posted below as well as more information about Camel Spiders can be found at: http://www.faunaimportuk.com/caresheets/cswindspider.htm

Also known as Camel spider, Wind scorpions, Solifugid.

This weird looking arachnid is not in fact a scorpion or spider at all but belongs to its own order- solifugid. This species can attain a leg span of 5” and a body of 2”. Wind spiders are fast moving aggressive hunters, capable of over powering much larger prey than itself. Its front pair of legs are modified as feelers to detect and pull its prey into its large over sized jaws. Its three pairs of legs are capable of speed making this creature a fast moving killing machine. The wind spider is adapted to life in the desert and can withstand the harsh environment well. As its name suggests it can sometimes be seen tumbling around in sand storms. To escape the worst of the environment they sometimes make burrows under bushes, buildings etc. The female will also make a burrow to lay her eggs.

Summer 2007

Well, as most of you know at this point, Michael and I are in the states now. I flew through from Italy and Michael followed a couple weeks later.

In mid July, my sister, grandma, nephews, and I went to visit Aunt Martha at Lake Bloomington. The boys had lots of fun kayaking, fishing and swimming in the lake. Of course it is always a treat to visit with Aunt Martha!












Then, Michelle and I took Ashley and Chase to Lake Geneva. There, we spent a lot of time at the pool and an indoor water park. We also spent a day at an animal farm, where Ashley and Chase were able to bottle feed a baby deer and lama, watch horses dance and parrots do amazing tricks. One of the parrots was actually on the David Letterman show!









Michael and I were just in Tucson, Arizona at an Up With People reunion. It was great fun to meet so many of Michael’s old friends.
We of course have been busy visiting with family and friends and of course shopping! I just returned from Jewel and stocked up on a couple of things that I cannot find in Doha. For those interested (Bree), I bought: instant pudding, Jiffy cornbread mix, Zatarain’s Spanish Rice, Goldfish, and chow mien noodles.

We are still looking forward to seeing many of you and cannot wait to reunite with our Doha friends as well. Of course we cannot wait to see Macey either! Macey has been spending her vacation with our friend Robert. He is reporting that she is getting along just fine, eating and purring!