species lives north_africa middle_east habitat conquered species reaches length width seven pairs legs hold body unusually high ground species described egypt syria formally named reached current scientific subgenus raised rank genus occurs great population fills important niche desert ecosystem feeds plant leaves water moisture air sand turn important prey item able survive arid conditions developed parental care offspring adults dig inhabited family groups recognised deep retreat relatively cool moist conditions surface conditions unfavourable territorial limit colony marked embankment description approximately millimetres long millimetres wide common seven pairs legs pair conspicuous antennae classified family family placed genus presence head nearby parts differs desert number respects species nocturnal apart highest temperatures positively attracted sunlight species negatively away bright light compared walks unusual manner body held high ground distribution found north_africa middle_east occasionally margins salt lakes described habitat conquered species closely associated soils desert range extends eastern algeria western syria ecology important desert ecosystem found population individuals equivalent comparison desert mammals estimated combined main predator compose diet appears vulnerable attack surface predators known attack underground escape heat desert constructing time consuming costly parent guard food spend months year returning surface forage far longer species dig forage temperatures high retreat temperature high unable tolerate air relative humidity occurs depths centimetres desert soil hottest months dug deep vertical single entrance diameter square metre nearly square foot favourable areas foraging find entrance return employs complex efficient strategy find begins widening search develops approach longer unable find significantly higher making important food chains spend day leaf material surface desert resting stones rocks surface forms embankment similar extent home territory colony plants abundant bushes desert diet bulk water intake taking water saturated air eating damp sand water loss water ensuring drier food animal consumed water provide valuable cooling effect life cycle species developed parental care offspring development species survive desert unusually parents tend young colonies winter young individuals emerge february march establish new sheltered sites bushes chosen larger males try pair female established male partner anatomy specialised digging excavation slow process taking place early spring centimetres dug single stops guard new eventually allow opposite sex enter engage ritual lasts hours female bears live young typically young remain days provided food parents leaving wary families adults catch adults offspring feed normally attack children members social group recognise pair produces brood life individual typically months long considerably shorter year habitats taxonomic history illustrated volume description researched napoleon campaign egypt syria dedicated section begun finished health deteriorated species given formal scientific calling initially placed genus later moved new subgenus raised subgenus rank genus species names previously thought synonyms examined found refer species different family known
Hemilepistus reaumuri