Arthropods

Fact file

Proper name: Phylum Arthropoda
Common name: Arthropods
Examples: Insects, spiders, crustaceans, scorpions

Numbers of species: Over 1,000,000
Where they are found: In the oceans, in freshwater and on land

Description: Arthropods are animals with hard, jointed exoskeletons (outer skeletons). Insects have three body parts: the head, thorax and abdomen, and six legs. Other arthropods have different body plans.

Need to know: There are more types of insect on the Earth than there are types of any other animal by a long way. Scientists estimate that there could be as many as 10,000,000 species alive today!

Find out more about arthropods
Find out more about fossil arthropods

Go back to the Tree of life to find out more about other living things.