Arachnid Trivia | Dorky Geeky Nerdy Trivia Podcast #349

Creepy, crawly, and totally fascinating—this week’s episode of the Dorky Geeky Nerdy Trivia Podcast is all about arachnids! From spiders and scorpions to ticks and mites, we’re spinning a web of trivia that’s equal parts spooky and fun. Whether you’re an arachnophobe or an arachnophile, you’ll get tangled up in 30 questions that test your science smarts, pop culture knowledge, and weird fact obsession. Perfect for trivia buffs, biology fans, and anyone who loves a good challenge. So grab your magnifying glass, step into the web, and see how many points you can catch!

When you’re done with Arachnid Trivia, check out our other Halloween and Horror Trivia episodes.

Book of the Week

This Book Is Full of Spiders

Warning: You may have a huge, invisible spider living in your skull. THIS IS NOT A METAPHOR.

You will dismiss this as ridiculous fear-mongering. Dismissing things as ridiculous fear-mongering is, in fact, the first symptom of parasitic spider infection–the creature stimulates skepticism, in order to prevent you from seeking a cure. That’s just as well, since the “cure” involves learning what a chainsaw tastes like. You can’t feel the spider, because it controls your nerve endings. You won’t even feel it when it breeds. And it will breed.

Just stay calm, and remember that telling you about the spider situation is not the same as having caused it. I’m just the messenger. Even if I did sort of cause it. Either way, I won’t hold it against you if you’re upset. I know that’s just the spider talking.

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Episode Transcript/Quiz

Episode Intro

It’s time to get creepy because it’s October. All month, it’s horror-themed trivia. For the first Wednesday of October 2025, I’ve got Arachnid Trivia. My wife’s going to hate me for this one.

If you’re new, welcome to the show. Every week, I’ve got three rounds of ten questions each. I ask and you answer. That’s it. Nothing fancy about it.

If you’re looking for rules or score cards, visit DorkyGeekyNerdy.com. I’m your designated spider-squasher and host, Brian Rollins, this is episode 349 of the Dorky Geeky Nerdy Trivia Podcast, and let’s scurry into the trivia.

The Dorky Round

What part of the arachnid is part of its back-most part (behind the legs)?
a. The abdomen
While it is not true for all arachnids, all spiders have how many legs?
a. Eight legs.
Which desert-dwelling arachnid glows under ultraviolet light?
a. Scorpions. I used to carry a black light flashlight for this when I was Boy Scout in Phoenix.
What African arachnid digs spiral burrows and waits to ambush prey?
a. Trapdoor Spider
Which Harry Potter character is deathly afraid of spiders?
a. Ron Weasley
What Greek constellation and zodiac sign is represented by an arachnid?
a. Scorpio. It’s the eighth sign of the zodiac and it’s the sign for people born October 23 through November 21.
Are arachnids poisonous or venomous?
a. Trick question, they can be both. Poisonous creatures release their toxins when you eat them. Venomous creatures do it when they eat (or sting) you.
What EB White book featured a pig befriending a spider?
a. Charlotte’s Web
What Marvel superhero got his powers from a radioactive arachnid?
a. Spider-Man
Which arachnid is known for carrying Lyme Disease?
a. Ticks. Yeah, I’m unconsciously checking my legs too.

The Geeky Round

Arachnids get their name from Arachne, the woman who was transformed into a spider by what Greek goddess?
a. Athena. The goddess was displeased when Arachne bested her in weaving.
What spider species is noted for its violin-shaped marking on its back?
a. The Brown Recluse Spider. It also only has six eyes but don’t get close enough to count them.
Other than the Brown Recluse, what is the only other spider dangerous to humans that is native to North America?
a. The Black Widow Spider
Which arachnid lives in water and carries an air bubble for breathing?
a. The Diving Bell Spider
While still arachnids, “daddy long legs” are not spiders but what?
a. Opiliones or Harvestmen
What spider is considered the deadliest in the world?
a. The Sydney funnel-web spider. Thankfully, it’s only found in Australia.
What African arachnid is known for walking sideways?
a. The Crab Spider
What tropical forest arachnid can drop from trees and glide through the air?
a. Flattie Spider
Vinegarroons with their thin, flexible tails, are more commonly known as what?
a. Whip scorpions
What 1990 spider-filled horror comedy starred Jeff Daniels and John Goodman?
a. Arachnophobia

The Nerdy Round

Which part of an arachnid’s body contains the legs?
a. Cephalothorax
What is the largest species of spider by leg span?
a. Giant Huntsman Spider. It can reach about one foot wide or 30 cm.
Arachnids are closely related to Xiphosura, more commonly known as what ancient type of sea creature?
a. Horseshoe crabs
What arachnid can survive in Antarctica and feeds on moss and lichens?
a. Mites
What color is Horseshoe Crab blood?
a. It’s light blue. It has various uses in medicine, including the development of the Covid-19 vaccine.
What South American tarantula has urticating hairs it flicks at predators?
a. The Goliath Birdeater
What arachnid has the fastest predatory strike in the animal kingdom?
a. The Camel Spider
Which arachnid is known for producing the strongest biological silk?
a. Darwin’s Bark Spider
What appendage do many arachnids have that are just lateral of their jaws?
a. Those are the pedipalps. They can be used for feeding, locomotion, or reproduction. On a scorpion, they end in claws.
What type of creature was Hagrid’s “pet” Aragog?
a. He was an acromantula

Episode Conclusion

And we’re done. Walk it off. They aren’t real. They aren’t crawling on you. What’s a critter that makes you say “Nope”? Let me know in the comments or on social media.

Next week, the horror theme continues, but with less phobia-inducing questions. Here’s a hint:

In which subgenre of horror would you find movies like Dog Solders and Ginger Snaps?

I feel bad missing this when I wrote other episodes on Vampires, Zombies, and Ghosts.

While you wait for next week’s episode, send me your favorite trivia podcasts. I have a few, but I’m curious to hear what you’re listening to. It’s time to share.

See you back here on Wednesday.

This was the Dorky Geeky Nerdy Trivia Podcast. If you’d like to help support the show and get extra stuff, consider becoming a patron at Patreon.com/dorkygeekynerdy.

This podcast is written, produced, and hosted by Brian Rollins. If you love audiobooks or are looking to have a book turned into an audiobook, contact me at TheVoicesInMyHead.com.

The theme music is Punchfunk by the band, Punchfunk. Listen to all their music on Spotify.

Thanks for listening.