Why Do Spiders Have 8 Legs?
WouterSpiders are considered creepy by most people. However, these arthropods are very beneficial to the ecosystem. They are carnivorous and eat a variety of insects. Some spiders have pinchers and fangs. These predators have been around for hundreds of millions of years.
The number of legs is important in the way that spiders forage for food. Aside from the primary function of preying, spiders also use their limbs for other purposes. For example, they can stick to silk webs and even form egg sacs. Another purpose is to defend themselves.
Most spiders have eight legs. This is due to their evolution. If the spiders had only four pairs of legs, they would not have enough energy to keep their muscles warm. As a result, spiders have adapted to have more limbs to avoid being killed by predators.
In addition to their legs, spiders have an abdomen. Their abdomen contains reproductive organs, a heart, and a stomach. It is also surrounded by a labium, which is part of the mouth.
The skeleton of a spider is filled with a fluid, called hemolymph. These fluids help to keep the spider’s legs in place and move them outward. Each leg has seven joints. One or two of these joints has a claw attached to the tip.
Spiders also have chelicerae. Chelicerae are small, sharp-edged jaws that are used to hold or grasp prey. Besides holding prey, spiders also release venom from their fangs.
