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Arachnid Family Members
The main components of the arachnid family are spiders and scorpions. Mites and ticks round out the arachnid family. Ticks are actually a type of mite, according to the University of Kentucky. One arachnid which many mistake for a type of spider is actually its own species. The harvestman is commonly called the "daddy longlegs." Although it resembles a spider, it is not, although it is in the same arachnid family.
Eight-legged Creepy Crawlers
The main characteristic of an arachnid is eight legs. Insects have only six legs whereas spiders and all arachnids have eight. While there are some who are afraid of all insects, there are many more who fear little animals on eight legs. The name of this fear is called arachnophobia.
Two Body Segments
All arachnids have two main body parts. The front is called the cephalothorax and the bottom is called the abdomen. The distinction between these two parts is clearly defined on spiders, because they are segmented. This is not the case with scorpions, mites and ticks. The cephalothorax and abdomen on ticks and mites are fused together. With scorpions, the cephalothorax is their head and the abdomen starts at their legs. The tail on a scorpion is another part of the body.
Other Traits
It would seem the last trait that would define arachnids are something like blood suckers, painful bite or something that stings. Some arachnids have those characteristics, but not all of them do, so they cannot be used to define the family. The other arachnid characteristics are more for what they lack than what they have. Arachnids do not have antennae or wings. This gives scientists two more ways to differentiate arachnids from insects. A last trait of arachnids is they are not able to chew their food, according to the Kid Zone.