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How many pairs of legs does a horseshoe crab have?
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horseshoe crab
Horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus).
Horseshoe crabs have six pairs of legs attached to the underside of their cephalothorax.12
The first pair, known as chelicerae, is primarily used for seizing prey. The remaining five pairs of legs surround the mouth and are utilized for both walking and feeding, with spiny projections at their bases helping to tear and process food. While it is sometimes noted that the first pair is greatly reduced in size, the animal possesses six pairs in total.21