My mom's friend found a CAMEL SPIDER in her house! how did it get there?

Question

someone told her they are usually found only in middle eastern countries and iraq and stuff like that....

well, no one in the war has been at her house, how did it get there?

Btw, this is in south dakota, near north dakota (northwest corner).

it was only a baby, could she have more?!?

Answer 1

Camel spiders are technically not spiders but Solifugae, although the belong to the class Arachnida.  Most Solifugae inhabit warm and arid habitats, including virtually all deserts in both the Eastern and Western Hemispheres, but some species have been known to live in grassland or forest habitats.

http://www.answers.com/topic/camel-spide...

"We have camel spiders in the sandy parts of the U.S. and Mexico (in Mexico they are called matevenados), considerably smaller than the Middle Eastern types, but of the same shy, unassuming habits. Completely harmless and beneficial critters, like the desert equivalent of a praying mantis."

http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mcam...

A lady in Utah claims to have found one in her home.

http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_9838890

If your mom has one, she could certainly have more.  But you wouldn't be able to tell for sure unless you saw them.  I found a black widow in my garage one time, and it was the only one that ever turned up.  So, no way of telling if there are more.

Answer 2

I have a huge fear of these bugs, and they were originally from middle eastern countries and get much larger there, however over the years they have been brought to this country and now we have a smaller version of the camel spider living in america. and yes she probably has more, you get them in the summer whens its very hot, they like that. we have them here. and by the way I have never let myself get close enough to get bit but not for them trying. they are aggressive and will hiss and chase you. I have heard various rumors about their bites but don't know whats true.