Knowledge Explorer lesson
Spiders and Insects
How many legs does a spider have?
A spider has eight legs. Spiders are arachnids (say: uh-RACK-nids), not insects. Scorpions are arachnids, too.
Adult insects have six legs. Ants, bees, butterflies, and beetles are all insects.
An insect's body has three parts: the head, the thorax, and the abdomen. All six legs grow from the thorax. A spider's body has only two main parts, and spiders do not have antennae.
What you will learn
- Tell how many legs spiders and insects have
- Explain that a spider is an arachnid, not an insect
- Name the three body parts of an insect
Key facts
- Spiders have 8 legs.
- Adult insects have 6 legs.
- An insect's body has 3 parts: head, thorax, and abdomen.
- A spider's body has 2 main parts.
- Spiders and scorpions are arachnids, not insects.