Britannica
Sources used in this answer
How is a horseshoe crab’s body divided into major sections?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
horseshoe crab
Horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus).
The body of a horseshoe crab is divided into three distinct sections that are hinged together:1
- Cephalothorax: A broad, horseshoe-shaped section that forms the front of the body. Its upper surface is smoothly arched and features lateral compound eyes and a smaller median pair of eyes. The underside bears six pairs of legs, with the first pair, known as chelicerae, used for feeding.1
- Abdomen: A much smaller, segmented section located behind the cephalothorax.1
- Telson: A long, sharp tail-spine that extends from the rear of the body.12
These sections work in coordination to allow the animal to move, feed, and interact with its environment.1