7 unique yet beautiful animals and birds with unusually long legs

In the animal world, long legs can make a big difference. They help some animals run fast, others jump high, and some even walk through deep water with ease. From tiny spiders to tall giraffes, many animals have legs that are unusually long compared to their bodies. Here’s a look at some animals known for their extra-long legs and how these legs help them live and move.
Disclaimer: The details in this article are based on online sources and ecological studies. Information may differ depending on species and region.
Images: Canva (for representative purposes only)

The giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) is the tallest land animal on Earth. Its legs can be as long as 6 feet, helping it reach a total height of around 12 to 15 feet. These long legs allow giraffes to move quickly– they can run up to 35 miles per hour for short bursts and around 10 miles per hour over longer distances.

The daddy longlegs is a small spider with legs that look much too long for its body. Its body is only about 2 to 10 millimetres long, but its legs can be as long as 50 millimetres. Even though it is said to be one of the most poisonous spiders, it cannot hurt humans because its fangs are too short to bite through skin.

The cassowary is a large bird that can grow up to 6 feet tall. Its long, strong legs help it run very fast– up to 31 miles per hour– and jump about 7 feet high. These legs are also powerful enough to defend themselves, with claws that can be as long as 4 inches. Because of this, the cassowary is known as one of the most dangerous birds in the world.

The secretarybird (Sagittarius serpentarius) is a tall bird that hunts on the ground. It stands around 4.3 feet tall and has legs that are much longer than those of other birds of similar size. With a wingspan of almost 7 feet, this bird often bends its legs to eat or drink, something that birds of prey usually don’t do.

The black-winged stilt (Himantopus himantopus) has legs that are very long for its small body. The bird is about 14 to 16 inches tall, and its legs are 7 to 9 inches long– almost 60% of its height. These long legs help the bird walk easily through shallow water in wetlands and marshes while searching for food.

The red kangaroo (Osphranter rufus) is the biggest kangaroo species and is known for its powerful jumps. It stands around 4 to 6 feet tall and has legs that are more than 3 feet long. These strong legs help the kangaroo jump up to 6 feet high and travel 25 feet in one leap. Its arms are much shorter– only about one-third of the length of its legs.

The Japanese spider crab (Macrocheira kaempferi) lives in the deep sea near Japan. It is one of the largest crabs in the world, with a leg span that can reach up to 13 feet from one claw to the other. It can weigh up to 42 pounds and has a shell about 12 inches wide. Even though it looks scary, this crab usually moves slowly and feeds on the ocean floor.