Arachnids

Arachnids are a group of animals that have eight legs. Spiders, scorpions, ticks, and mites are all arachnids. They are not insects because insects have six legs. Arachnids are found on every continent except Antarctica.

How Arachnids Are Different

Arachnids have eight legs while insects have six. Arachnids have two body parts instead of three. They do not have wings or antennae. Most arachnids are predators that eat insects and other small creatures.

Types of Arachnids

Spiders are the most well-known arachnids. Scorpions have a stinger on the end of their tails. Ticks are tiny arachnids that feed on blood. Harvestmen, sometimes called daddy longlegs, look like spiders but are a different type of arachnid.

Fun Facts

• Spider silk is stronger than steel of the same thickness.
• Some scorpions can glow under ultraviolet light.
• There are over 48,000 known species of spiders in the world.

Did You Know?

Most spiders have eight eyes, but they still do not see very well! They rely more on feeling vibrations in their webs to catch prey.