Which Animal Has the Most Legs?

Of all creatures, millipedes and centipedes have the most legs; most millipedes have between 36 and 400 legs, and most centipedes have between 50 and 200 legs. The Illacme plenipes millipede has the most legs of any creature with females having up to 750 legs. Other animals with many legs include sawflies, woodlice, and caterpillars.

More about many legged animals:

  • Despite their name, millipedes — milli is Latin for one thousandth — don't actually have 1,000 feet.
  • Many sea creatures have multiple legs or appendages as well. Some types of jellyfish can have hundreds of tentacles, while shrimp usually have around 10 legs.
  • Despite having so many legs, millipedes and centipedes are relatively slow, since their legs are so short.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which animal is known to have the most legs?

The title for the most legs goes to a millipede species, Illacme plenipes, which can have up to 750 legs. Although not all individuals reach this number, it's the highest leg count recorded in the animal kingdom. Millipedes in general are known for their numerous legs, with each body segment typically having two pairs.

Do all millipedes have hundreds of legs?

No, not all millipedes have hundreds of legs. The number of legs in millipedes varies widely among species, with some having as few as 30 legs. The average millipede has between 80 and 400 legs. The leg count is always an even number, as millipedes add segments and legs as they grow.

How does the number of legs benefit a millipede?

The multitude of legs allows millipedes to move efficiently through their environment, aiding in burrowing and climbing. This leggy locomotion provides stability and traction on various surfaces. Additionally, having many legs reduces the impact of losing one due to predation or injury, allowing millipedes to continue their daily activities with minimal disruption.

Are there any other creatures that come close to the leg count of millipedes?

While no other creatures match the extreme leg counts of certain millipedes, centipedes also have a significant number of legs, ranging from 30 to 354 in the species Scolopendra gigantea. However, centipedes generally have fewer legs than millipedes, with one pair per body segment as opposed to millipedes' two pairs.

Can the number of legs a millipede has change over its lifetime?

Yes, millipedes can change the number of legs they have over their lifetime. As they grow, they molt and add additional body segments, each with its own pair of legs. This means that a millipede will have more legs as an adult than it did as a juvenile.

Is there any evolutionary advantage to having so many legs?

Having a large number of legs can provide several evolutionary advantages. It can enhance mobility over uneven terrain, improve the ability to burrow into the ground for protection or to search for food, and increase stability, making it harder for predators to overturn and attack the millipede. Additionally, redundancy in limbs ensures survival even if some are lost.

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