How many legs does a spider have?

Spiders are definitely pests that pest control professionals get calls about very often because NO ONE wants to see them around their home. They are arachnids, which means that they have a segmented body divided into two regions, and the anterior segment has four pairs of legs, but they don’t have antennae. Much like the tick.

But, within those creepy, crawly bodies, how many legs does a spider have? Sometimes, they are moving across your home so fast it seems like they could have a million tiny legs. We are here to set the record straight on how many legs a spider really has today.

Miss Muffet Asks, “How Many Legs Does A Spider Have?”

Though it may seem like a lot more, we are here to tell you that the number of legs spiders have is only 8 LEGS. This is one of the main things that sets them apart from other pests. Another thing that sets them apart is that they aren’t insects at all. Pretty crazy, right? Spiders are actually arachnids. But what is the difference? Is it the legs that sets them apart?

Well, insects have a head, a thorax, an abdomen, and antennae, and the thorax has three pairs of legs. So which legs does an arachnid have? They only have two main body parts, a combined head and thorax, and an abdomen with no antennae and four pairs of legs. This is what sets spiders apart from all the rest.

You’ve Heard Spiders Have 10 Legs?

There has been some information floating around questioning the number of legs spiders have at 10. So where did this come from? Well, they do have some extra parts that could be misidentified as legs, but let’s set that record straight.

Let’s ask a different question. What “types” of legs does a spider have? Spiders do have 8 legs that they use to crawl around on, but they also have a set of “hands” that they use. These are referred to as pedipalps, or palps for short. The palps can be mistaken for legs because they are so close to the first set of legs a spider has and they are jointed. Spiders use the palps to help shape their webs, hold on to prey, and mainly for anything sensory related. Another way palps are used is by male spiders as they use this appendage to transfer sperm to the female during the mating process.

So, if you come across a spider and get close enough to examine the number of legs it has, don’t worry that you have a radioactive one on your hands if you count 10. These are just its palps.

What is With All of Those Legs?

Why do spiders have so many legs? Is it for mobility? Is it for swiftness? Is it to scale tall buildings in the blink of an eye?

Well, spiders use their limbs for a variety of things, actually. They use them obviously to get around, but they need to get away from other insects or animals that might be trying to attack them as well. So, the legs a spider has aren’t just about getting around your house like you may think. It may be more about not being prey to bigger spiders or other attackers.

The 8 legs spiders do have are used to attack and pin down their prey. At the very tip of the leg, there are 2 or 3 claws that aid in this, and once they have them pinned down, they release their venom into their body from their fangs.

Ever wondered what would happen if a spider were to lose some of its legs? Can they still get around the same? Yes, and they can even regenerate their legs during. But, with a cost. Spiders can regenerate their legs, but the regenerated ones aren’t as thick or long. Things like web-making, the ability to forage, and the growth and development time of the spider will also be impacted.

Overall, even with losing a leg or two, nothing really seems to keep a spider down for too long.

What other insect-like creatures have eight legs?

Strangely enough, spiders aren’t the only ones crawling around with 8 legs. Here are some creatures we mistake for insects that have the same number of legs as spiders have.

Ticks

Ticks are those tiny beetle-looking pests that love to silently latch on to you or your pet. Ticks are blood suckers and rely on blood for survival. They are also, technically, arachnids. It’s the same class as spiders, just lots of differences, but they have 8 legs.

 Harvestman

Harvestmen get a bad reputation for being mistaken for spiders. They are more known by their name of granddaddy longlegs. Harvestmen are in the arachnid class as well, with 8 legs, but do not have the same behaviors as spiders.

Mites

Mites are tiny, almost microscopic creatures that lurk on just about anything from plants, water, soil, animals, carpet, bedding, and humans. Mites also fall under the arachnid class and are not identified as insects. They have a rounded body and 8 legs like our spider friends.

Scorpions

It’s fascinating to learn that scorpions are actually in the same arachnid class as spiders. Scorpions look completely different than any spider-like creature or insect and look more like some type of reptile. They share the same number of legs as spiders have, along with their segmented bodies. Scorpions are known for their piercing sting.

Call Kapture Pest Control for Help

Well, there you have the facts set out before you. How many legs does a spider have? Spiders have 8 creepy-crawly legs. And those legs may break off, but it doesn’t keep them from trying to make their way into your home. So, if you find those creepy arachnids around your house, Kapture Pest Control can come in and take care of them in no time for you. As an added bonus, if you find yourself with any insect or arachnid-related questions, we are always here to help. We are always here for free phone consultations and will offer you a free estimate.

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