How Many Legs Does a Spider Have?

Spiders are arachnids, a group of arthropods characterized by having eight legs. This trait is inherited from their evolutionary ancestors, dating back hundreds of millions of years.

Why Eight Legs? The evolutionary lineage of spiders, known as chelicerates, settled on eight legs through natural selection. This body plan has been highly successful, allowing spiders to adapt to diverse environments worldwide.

• Real-World Example: Every spider, from tiny jumping spiders to large tarantulas, has eight legs.
• Actionable Insight: Next time you see a spider, count its legs—you’ll always find eight!