03/20/2026
A camel cricket is a humpâbacked, longâlegged, wingless insect that lives in dark, damp places like basements, caves, and under logs. They donât chirp, they canât fly, and they often jump suddenly when startled â which is why people sometimes call them spider crickets or sprickets.
đŚ What a Camel Cricket Is
- Family: Rhaphidophoridae
- Common names: Camel cricket, cave cricket, spider cricket
- Appearance:
- Humpâshaped back (like a camel)
- Very long antennae
- Long, spiderâlike legs
- Light to dark brown, often with mottled patterns
- Size: About 13â33 mm (½â1½ inches) long
- Behavior:
- Nocturnal
- Flightless
- Do not chirp (they lack soundâproducing organs)
- Jump when frightened
đ Where They Live
- Prefer cool, moist environments
- Common in caves, basements, crawl spaces, under stones, and rotting logs
- Found worldwide; about 150 species in the U.S. and Canada
đ What They Eat
- Organic debris
- Fungi
- Fabrics, cardboard, and sometimes small insects
- Indoors, they may damage plants and stored items
đ§ Quick Takeaway
Camel crickets look a bit spooky because of their long legs and sudden jumping, but theyâre harmless to humans â they donât bite or sting. Theyâre mostly a nuisance when they get into homes.
