Why do beetles have six legs, while spiders have eight? 0 3

- In biology, all living organisms are grouped by common characteristics. Beetles represent an order of the class Insecta, while spiders belong to an order of the class Arachnida (there is also an order of Crustacea). These three orders are united in the phylum Arthropoda. Many mistakenly believe that spiders are insects, but as seen from the classification, they belong to the class Arachnida. The main reason for this distinction is the number of limbs.

Creatures with eight legs are classified as arachnids, while six-legged ones are classified as insects. The body of insects consists of three segments, and only one pair of legs is attached to each segment. Therefore, insects have six legs. Often, when the question about the number of limbs of a spider is asked, only its legs are meant.

However, limbs include not only legs but also pedipalps. Yes, they resemble legs, but they serve a different function: they help navigate through touch. Additionally, they make it easier to grasp small prey and bring it to the mouth.