Arachnid with a sting (8) Crossword Clue
Answer: SCORPION (8 letters)
The answer to the crossword clue "Arachnid with a sting" with 8 letters is "SCORPION".A scorpion is an arachnid, a type of arthropod with eight legs, and it has a venomous sting at the end of its tail used for defense and hunting.
Why “Scorpion” Fits
The clue asks for an 8-letter word for an “arachnid with a sting.” The answer, SCORPION, fits perfectly:
- Arachnid with a sting: A "scorpion" is a member of the arachnid class, identifiable by its eight legs, segmented body, and distinctive curved tail tipped with a venomous stinger. The stinger is used for hunting prey and self-defense, making scorpions unique among arachnids for this feature.
- Direct match: “Scorpion” is the only common 8-letter arachnid renowned for its potent sting and widespread presence in deserts, forests, and tropical regions around the world.
This zoological term matches exactly both the letter count and the clue’s biological description.
Scorpions are striking creatures in the animal kingdom:
- Scientific profile: Scorpions have existed for hundreds of millions of years, with more than 2,000 species currently identified. Their anatomy includes pincers for grasping and a metasoma (“tail”) used for injecting venom into prey or threats.
- Venom and behavior: The venom varies from mild to deadly depending on the species—most use it to paralyze insects, while only a handful are dangerous to humans. Scorpions use their keen sense of vibration and night vision to locate prey, and their armored exoskeleton helps guard against predators.
"Scorpion" bridges the clue’s requirements for taxonomy, anatomical special features, and danger.
In quick crosswords, clues like “arachnid with a sting (8)”:
- Prompt the most recognizable, stinging spiders or similar arachnids—scorpion is the only option that fits the word length and description.
- The “sting” in the clue is a signature feature that leads straight to scorpion, as spiders and ticks (other arachnids) do not possess such a tail.
- Simple zoological clues with precise features are best solved with unmistakable terminology.
Spotting the combination of class, weapon, and letter count efficiently leads to “scorpion.”
