Hexapod

/ˈhɛksəˌpɑd/ noun

Definition

Any animal that has six legs, including all insects and some other arthropods that are part of the class Hexapoda.

Etymology

From Greek 'hexa-' (six) + 'pous' (foot). This term became standardized in zoology during the 19th century as scientists formally classified arthropods by leg count.

Kelly Says

Every insect you've ever seen—ants, beetles, butterflies, mosquitoes—is a hexapod, which means six-legged animals are actually the most successful animals on Earth, outnumbering every other animal species combined.

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