Camping and Desert Critters

JMurray · Sep 23rd, 2005, 10:42

I'm excited about my trip to Jodhpur next month. I'll be staying in a budget-type hotel most of my three weeks there, but I'd like to experience at least one night in the desert out under the stars somewhere.

I grew up in the American southwest, but I expect this desert to be somewhat different. Anyone know what kind of unfriendly critters I need to watch out for around there? Cobras, scorpions, poisonous spiders, dung beetles, etc?

Jim

guerik · Sep 23rd, 2005, 10:52

I've spent a few nights out in desert camps (from camel safaris) and the only creatures I saw were dung beetles.
They're pretty horrible but not dangerous to my knowledge. When we woke up the next morning there were hundreds of little beetle-prints around our bedding but it didn't look like they'd crawled over us.
I think all of the other crawlies are out there, but you're still safer than you would be in Australia

edwardseco · Sep 23rd, 2005, 10:58

You could go to Saudi. They have this famous flesh eating spider (taking a bite out of crime)..

JMurray · Sep 23rd, 2005, 11:32

Thanks.
I know dung beetles aren't deadly, but I just don't want them trying to roll their stuff over me.

guerik · Sep 23rd, 2005, 11:47

Upside of being in the desert - there's not much dung around anyway, and what is there, is very dried anyway

I think you should be fairly safe from them though, we were sleeping on fabric mats which were maybe an inch thick, but they didn't seem to be able to climb onto them.

rangss · Sep 23rd, 2005, 12:04

What are dung beetles? I know a few Beatles numbers that are real dung!

guerik · Sep 23rd, 2005, 13:23

Here's a picture for everyone not fortunate enough to have seen one.

It was one of few dung beetle pictures I found without the dung ball.. apparently they (the dung balls) can get very big, if those other pictures are to be believed!
The picture's from this site - http://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit-us/galler...atson/poo.html (Poo - A Natural History of the Unmentionable). Given the popularity of the hotel sink thread, a few of our members will probably like to check the site out

rangss · Sep 23rd, 2005, 13:29

Do this critters trip on dung? Why do they carry dung...anyway thanks Guerik...

guerik · Sep 23rd, 2005, 13:32

Why not? Not much else to eat if you live in the middle of the desert. Fortunately when on safari the drivers bring food with them, so I've never had to try it.

Plus as gross looking at they are (that picture's about actual size), they at least keep the dunes clean!

Sep 23rd, 2005, 10:42	#1
JMurray Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Tokyo, Japan Posts: 55	Camping and Desert Critters I'm excited about my trip to Jodhpur next month. I'll be staying in a budget-type hotel most of my three weeks there, but I'd like to experience at least one night in the desert out under the stars somewhere. I grew up in the American southwest, but I expect this desert to be somewhat different. Anyone know what kind of unfriendly critters I need to watch out for around there? Cobras, scorpions, poisonous spiders, dung beetles, etc? Jim

Sep 23rd, 2005, 12:04	#6
rangss Bulk Carrier Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Chennai Posts: 1,834	What are dung beetles? I know a few Beatles numbers that are real dung! __________________ ...and I took the road less travelled.

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Sep 23rd, 2005, 10:52	#2
guerik Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 1,039	I've spent a few nights out in desert camps (from camel safaris) and the only creatures I saw were dung beetles. They're pretty horrible but not dangerous to my knowledge. When we woke up the next morning there were hundreds of little beetle-prints around our bedding but it didn't look like they'd crawled over us. I think all of the other crawlies are out there, but you're still safer than you would be in Australia

Sep 23rd, 2005, 10:58	#3
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 3,788	You could go to Saudi. They have this famous flesh eating spider (taking a bite out of crime)..

Sep 23rd, 2005, 11:32	#4
JMurray Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Tokyo, Japan Posts: 55	Thanks. I know dung beetles aren't deadly, but I just don't want them trying to roll their stuff over me.

Sep 23rd, 2005, 11:47	#5
guerik Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 1,039	Upside of being in the desert - there's not much dung around anyway, and what is there, is very dried anyway I think you should be fairly safe from them though, we were sleeping on fabric mats which were maybe an inch thick, but they didn't seem to be able to climb onto them.

Sep 23rd, 2005, 13:23	#7
guerik Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 1,039	Here's a picture for everyone not fortunate enough to have seen one. It was one of few dung beetle pictures I found without the dung ball.. apparently they (the dung balls) can get very big, if those other pictures are to be believed! The picture's from this site - http://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit-us/galler...atson/poo.html (Poo - A Natural History of the Unmentionable). Given the popularity of the hotel sink thread, a few of our members will probably like to check the site out

Sep 23rd, 2005, 13:29	#8
rangss Bulk Carrier Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Chennai Posts: 1,834	Do this critters trip on dung? Why do they carry dung...anyway thanks Guerik...

Sep 23rd, 2005, 13:32	#9
guerik Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 1,039	Why not? Not much else to eat if you live in the middle of the desert. Fortunately when on safari the drivers bring food with them, so I've never had to try it. Plus as gross looking at they are (that picture's about actual size), they at least keep the dunes clean!

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