Top 10 Animals with Eight Legs

The animal kingdom is full of unique creatures with different behaviours and characteristics. Unlike humans, who have only two legs, some animals have up to eight legs.

Most of the animals that have eight legs are called Arachnids. Arachnids are animals with segmented bodies, no wings or antennae, and eight legs.

In this article, I will share with you a list of the Top 10 Animals with Eight Legs.

The Top 10 Animals with Eight Legs

1. Tarantula

Scientific Name: Theraphosidae

Tarantulas are large spiders that are found throughout many countries and regions like the United States, Mexico, South America, Africa, Asia, and many other places.

These large spiders can look intimidating as they move around with their eight legs.

Tarantulas have four pairs of legs on each side, making a total of eight. When you observe their legs closely, you will find out that they each have seven segments.

There are retractable claws at the end of each leg, making it easier for them to hold on to surfaces and climb.

Let’s find out how tarantulas are able to move with eight legs. This is simple; some of their legs move at the same time, and they can bend their legs at the joints.

The first and third legs on one side of a tarantula move at the same time as the second and fourth legs on the other side of its body. This type of movement is known as diagonal gait.

Now you not only know that tarantulas have eight legs but also how they move. Let us move to the next animal on the list.

2. Octopus

Order: Octopoda

Another eight-limbed animal on this list is the octopus. These sea creatures are known for their ability to disguise themselves underwater.

They have eight legs, or better yet, hands. I referred to them as arms because they serve multiple purposes.

For example, octopuses use their eight limbs to grab onto objects and move around in the ocean.

When it comes to movement, some Octopus species reserve two of their rear limbs for propelling their bodies and crawling along the sea floor.

Each arm of an octopus can function independently. This is because they have a separate set of reflexes that helps them process information independently.

3. Scorpion

Order: Scorpiones

Scorpions are popular throughout the world except Antarctica. These venomous arachnids have eight legs that they use for movement.

These eight legs do not include the two pincers, which they use for defence and catching of prey. Unlike spiders, which may occasionally use their legs to assist with web-related tasks, scorpions primarily use their legs for movement.

Scorpions are mostly nocturnal and live in deserts, forest regions, and even caves.

4. Spider Crab

Scientific Name: Macrocheira kaempferi

Spider Crabs are known as Japanese spider crabs. These marine crabs got their name from their long legs that resemble those of a spider.

The legs of Spider Crabs can reach up to 3.7 m (12.1 ft), making them the only known arthropod with the longest legs.

Spider crabs are found throughout Japan, especially on the island of Honshu. They are mostly nocturnal and feed on the seafloor.

5. Harvestmen

Class: Arachnida

Harvestmen are small arachnids that are also known as harvesters, harvest spiders, or daddy longlegs.

While many species of Harvest men have long legs, a few species have short legs. They do not have any dangerous venom, and this makes them harmless to humans.

They have evolved a defence mechanism that involves releasing a foul-smelling secretion to ward off predators.

6. Horseshoe Crab

Family: Limulidae

Horseshoe Crabs are sea creatures that look like a horseshoe. These small arthropods are closely related to spiders, ticks, and scorpions rather than crabs.

Horseshoe Crabs are found along the coasts of North America and Asia. Their appearance has earned them the title of “living fossil”.

This unique-looking sea creature has eight legs. The three pairs of walking legs and set of pusher legs make their legs a total of eight.

At the end of each leg are small pincers that they use to hold and manipulate food.

7. Sea Spider

Order: Pantopoda

Yes, you read right. There are sea spiders, and they are found in the oceans. Although there are different species of sea spiders, most of them that belong to the class Pycnogonida have eight legs.

They use their legs to walk across the sea floor in search of food. Sea spiders have long legs, which makes their bodies look small.

You might think that they are spiders that live underwater, but that is not the case. Although sea spiders resemble spiders, they are not true spiders and do not behave like spiders.

8. Tick

Order: Ixodida

Ticks are small, parasitic arachnids that can be found in forests, grasslands, and even in your backyard.

They have eight legs, which they use to hold on to their hosts when feeding. Ticks can be a problem for many land animals, including livestock.

9. Spiders

Order: Araneae

Spiders are known for their eight legs, and they are found in many countries around the world.

These arachnids come in different sizes. There are 52,309 spider species recorded according to Wikipedia.

Spiders are known for their unique ability to produce silk. They use this silk to weave their nest, which also serves as a prey catcher.

10. Crabs

Infraorder: Brachyura

Crabs are another animal that has eight legs. Do not get confused; crabs have eight walking legs and two appendages (pincers).

Although crabs are grouped under the order Decapoda, which includes animals with 10 legs, they only use eight for walking.

You will find these eight walking legs on the sides of their bodies. These legs help them walk sideways and in different directions.

Conclusion

Spiders are not the only animals with eight legs. In this article, I have provided a list of the top 10 animals with eight legs.

In summary, the top 10 animals with eight legs are Tarantulas, Octopuses (arms), Scorpions, Spider Crab, Harvestmen, Horseshoe Crabs, Sea Spiders, Ticks, Spiders, and Crabs.

FAQs

Are spiders the only animals with eight legs?

Spiders are not the only animals with eight legs; ticks, scorpions, and many other animals have eight legs.

Are all eight-legged animals arachnids?

Not all eight-legged animals are arachnids. While spiders, scorpions, ticks, and harvestmen are arachnids, other eight-legged creatures like octopuses belong to different groups.

What is the largest eight-legged animal?

The Japanese spider crab holds the title for the largest eight-legged animal, with a leg span that can reach up to 12 feet.