How many pairs of legs do arachnids have?

• A. 2
• B. 3
• C. 4
• D. 5

Answer: (C)

Arachnids have four pairs of legs, eight in total. These legs attach to the front body segment called the cephalothorax, and they use them for walking, chasing prey, and manipulating the environment. It’s also helpful to know that arachnids have other appendages near the mouth, like pedipalps and chelicerae; pedipalps can look leg-like but are not counted as legs. This eight-legged plan distinguishes them from insects, which have three pairs of legs. In common teaching contexts, the count refers to the adult form, so the correct idea is that arachnids typically have four pairs of legs.