How many pairs of legs do adult ticks have?

Adult ticks have four pairs of legs, which is a characteristic feature of arachnids, the class to which they belong. This is an important distinguishing trait of adult ticks, as they have developed from larvae that only have three pairs of legs. As ticks mature from larvae into nymphs and then into adults, they gain an additional pair of legs, resulting in the adult form having eight legs in total. This anatomy is consistent across most arachnids, highlighting their classification. Understanding this biology aids in recognizing ticks and differentiating them from other insects, which typically have six legs. Recognizing that adult ticks possess four pairs of legs reinforces knowledge about their life cycle and morphology, critical for practices in pest control and public health awareness.