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16[[quoteright:212:[[ComicBook/SpiderMan https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/usa_spider_man_skchi_scorpion_n_8b83b72f.png]]]]
17
18->''"It counters a Zangoose's dazzling agility with its swordlike tail, which also oozes a horrible poison."''
19-->-- '''Seviper's Pokédex entry''', ''VideoGame/PokemonEmerald''
20
21A tail is used for things like balance or [[PrehensileTail grasping objects]]. Another use is [[TailSlap a weapon]], which can vary from [[EpicFlail flailing]], whipping, or crushing. It is only logical then that a combatant would add things to make their tail hit harder like a club. Why just hit when you can also shoot stuff or stab with a stinger on the end, which [[PoisonedWeapons may or may not be venomous?]] This trope is about ''weapons'' on tails, be they {{natural|Weapon}} or not. May cause their opponent to AttackTheTail in order to deprive them of it.
22
23Part of the AnatomyArsenal. If the tail is tipped with actual biting ''jaws'', see also AHeadAtEachEnd. Frequently seen on ScorpionPeople. Compare CombatTentacles.
24----
25!!Examples:
26
27[[foldercontrol]]
28
29[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
30* ''New Anime/CuteyHoney'': One of the first villains in the second arc has an acid-spewing tail.
31* ''Franchise/{{Digimon}}'':
32** ''Anime/DigimonAdventure02'': Ankylomon, Armadillomon's champion form, has a morning star attached to his tail.
33** ''Anime/DigimonTamers'': Mihiramon has an attack that can transform his tail into a sansetsukon.
34** ''Anime/DigimonFrontier'': [[spoiler:Lucemon Larva]] has a stinger that it can fire energy bolts from.
35** ''Anime/DigimonFusion'': Greymon has a cannon on his tail that he retains in all of his [[FusionDance DigiXrosed]] forms. In said forms, the cannon is formed from the head of his [=DigiXros=] partner [=MailBirdramon=]. When [=MetalGreymon=] briefly gets absorbed by [=NeoVamdemon=], the latter becomes a serpentine monster with [=MetalGreymon=]'s head as the cannon. Also, Dorulumon has a drill on his tail that grows large enough for him to stand on when he attacks.
36** ''Anime/DigimonXrosWarsTheYoungHuntersWhoLeaptThroughTime'': Gumdramon has an extendable tail with a hammer on the end. When he evolves to Arresterdramon, it becomes a crown-shaped spike meant for slashing. When he becomes Arresterdramon Superior Mode, the spike turns gold and becomes more trident-like.
37** ''Anime/DigimonAdventureLastEvolutionKizuna'': [[spoiler:Agumon Bond of Bravery]] has a long, thin, segmented tail with a blade at the end.
38** ''Anime/DigimonGhostGame'': [=GulusGammamon=]'s tail has a large barb on the end, which he uses to spear his enemies with lethal precision.
39* ''Anime/DragonBallZ'': Cell, who introduces a horrifying twist. After stabbing someone with his tail, he actually sucks up all of their internal organs through his stinger, ''while they're still alive.''
40* ''Anime/HeartcatchPrettyCure'': Sasorina is capable of turning [[PrehensileHair her ponytail]] into a stinging scorpion's tail that she claims can inject venom.
41* ''Anime/GhostInTheShellStandAloneComplex'': Not a literal case, but an analogous one in an episode. A prototype SpiderTank is clearly modeled after a scorpion, and in place of its tail it has a turret-mounted cannon.
42* ''Anime/MazingerZ'': Several [[{{Robeast}} Mechanical Beasts]] had armed tails. For example, Danchel not only had a massive tail it used to crush things with but it also shot gallons of acid.
43* ''Manga/MissKobayashisDragonMaid'': Elma's full dragon form has a three-pronged tail, which she was shown using during her falling out with Tohru. When she shifts into a human or semi-human form, it's transformed into a trident.
44* ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamAGE'':
45** The Xvm-mzc Zeydars has a blade on the tip of its tail.
46** Most Vagan designs feature a tail with a beam cannon on the end of it, allowing them to fire from unexpected directions against inexperienced opponents.
47* ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'': Sasori, whose fighting style is to fight from inside a puppet-like a suit of armor. The first puppet he is seen in has a sharp tail coated in poison.
48* ''[[Anime/SailorMoon Sailor Moon Super S]]'': In one episode, there is a Monster of the Week, Garigari, with a drill on the tip of her tail, as Para Para's trap is dentist-themed. When she tries to drill Sailor Moon and Sailor Mini Moon's teeth with it, they use the Scream Attack which hasn't been seen since the first episode of the first season
49* ''Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann'' has one of the BeastMen's generals Adiane the Elegant, who actually looks just like a normal woman besides her long, thick, scorpion tail. In the main series, she beats up Viral with it. In the CompilationMovie, she uses it in a DesignatedGirlFight against Yoko, waving her tail to [[SpinToDeflectStuff deflect bullets]], [[TailSlap smacking Yoko around]] and even [[StrippingSnag ripping away Yoko's top]].
50* ''Anime/TheTowerOfDruaga'': The BigBad uses his tail in a surprise attack that [[spoiler:kills Ahmey]]. While his actual "body" lacks an actual tail, it is also designed to invoke the scorpion imagery -- the role of a tail is filled by a long cable wound up inside his stomach and ending with a poisoned spike.
51* ''Franchise/{{Zoids}}'': A number of Zoids have guns mounted in their tails, and not just the [[SpiderTank scorpion-based ones]].
52** The most notable one of course ''is'' on a Scorpion-Zoid: The [[WaveMotionGun Charged Particle Gun]] of the Death Stinger.
53** Another notable example would be the two main "sniper" zoids, the [=GunSniper=] and Snipe Master; both resemble dromeosaurs (raptors), with the tail forming the barrel of the primary sniping weapon.
54[[/folder]]
55
56[[folder:Comic Books]]
57* ''ComicBook/CaptainAmerica'': The Rattler (Gustav Krueger) is an adversary as a member of the Serpent Society. He has a 7ft bionic tail that is not only prehensile and an effective bludgeoning weapon, but emits high-intensity sonic waves that can cause adverse physical effects ranging from mild disorientation to death from internal hemorrhaging.
58* ''Film/Godzilla2014'': In the tie-in comic ''Godzilla Awakening'', in its dragon-like form, [[Characters/MonsterVerseKaiju Shinomura]]'s tail ends in a sharp, blade-like protrusion.
59* ''ComicBook/SonicTheHedgehogArchieComics'':
60** E-113 Xi, a quadrupedal, feline-based variant of the E-100 series Badniks, has a tail-mounted laser.
61** Jian the Tiger, a reformed ex-Egg Soldier, has a cybernetic tail-blade.
62* ''ComicBook/SonicTheHedgehogIDW'': In issue #13, [[SiblingsInCrime Rough and Tumble]] use new weapons granted to them by Eggman. Tumble's weapon is a prosthetic club tail while Rough uses a back-mounted cannon which fires {{Stink Bomb}}s.
63* ''ComicBook/SpiderMan'':
64** The Scorpion has a cybernetic tail interfaced with his central nervous system containing weapons ranging from toxins to corrosive acids to energy blasts. It can also be used for bludgeoning, and nowadays has a very sharp point on the end for just straight-up stabbing.
65** Stegron, the Dinosaur Man, uses it as a flail too, but he's very ineffective with his.
66%%* ''ComicBook/SuicideSquad'': Manticore from the terrorist-for-hire group the Jihad.
67[[/folder]]
68
69[[folder:Comic Strips]]
70* ''ComicStrip/TheFarSide'' had a [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Thagomizer.png comic]] in which a caveman points out the spiked tail of a stegosaurus and says "Now this end is called the thagomizer... after the late [[PersonAsVerb Thag Simmons]]." Paleontologists actually adopted the name despite, you know, [[HollywoodPrehistory simultaneous Neanderthals and Jurassic-era dinosaurs]]; the scientific community realized they themselves ''didn't'' have a name for that part, and decided they may as well.
71[[/folder]]
72
73[[folder:Fan Works]]
74* ''Fanfic/AbraxasHrodvitnon'': In this ''Film/GodzillaKingOfTheMonsters2019'' fanfiction, [[Characters/AbraxasHrodvitnonTitansAndOtherCreatures MaNi/Elder Brother]] has a thagomizer-like tail as part of his patchwork body.
75* ''Fanfic/ADiplomaticVisit'': In chapter 20, Far-Tracker tells the story of how he ran afoul of a porcupine while hunting, which gave him "a tail full of quills, right in the kisser." (And he's pretty sure it was cursing him out afterward.) It doesn't seem to have done any lasting damage though.
76* ''Fanfic/FalloutEquestria'': [[TheEmpire Enclave]] PowerArmor features weaponized tails, with either stingers for melee or magic energy weapons. [[ColonelBadass Colonel Autumn Leaf's]] [[AceCustom suit]] has the Alien Blaster from ''VideoGame/Fallout3''.
77* ''Fanfic/HarryIsADragonAndThatsOk'', and he can wield a wand just fine with his front paws. But it's more natural for him to walk on all fours, so Remus Lupin comes up with the idea of a wand-holster for his tail.
78* ''Fanfic/TheReturn'': Succubae tails have a host of mono-filaments at the end that can be used in battle like a biological {{chainsaw|Good}}.
79[[/folder]]
80
81[[folder:Films -- Animation]]
82%%* ''WesternAnimation/{{Fantasia}}'': The Stegosaurus.
83* ''WesternAnimation/{{Onward}}'': The Manticore has a scorpion-like tail with a venomous stinger. Fortunately for a certain pawnshop owner, the venom only causes temporary paralysis.
84* ''WesternAnimation/{{Rango}}'': Rattlesnake Jake is a rattlesnake, which opts for a {{gatling g|ood}}un instead of a traditional rattle tail.
85* ''Animation/WhiteSnake2019'': Snake clan member Chang Pan is a rattlesnake demon, with his tail being quite deadly in his snake form. Blanca's snake tail is shown to be even sharper when she uses it to [[HalfTheManHeUsedToBe cut him in half]].
86[[/folder]]
87
88[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
89* ''Franchise/{{Alien}}'': The Xenomorphs possess long, segmented tails that resemble spinal columns, tipped by a blade-like stinger that is used to [[ImpaledWithExtremePrejudice impale]] prey. A few entries show them using this stinger to incapacitate prey before taking it back to the hive to be facehugged, ExpandedUniverse materials frequently reference this (most often, video games giving Aliens a low-damage, "stun" type attack utilizing the tail).
90** ''Film/{{Aliens}}'': The Alien Queen uses her tail as a weapon while onboard the ''Sulaco''. A DeletedScene from the script (but present in the {{novelization}}) makes clear that the xenomorphs secrete a paralytic venom from their stinger tails which they use to pacify host organisms long enough to cocoon them. This was original how Lieutenant Gorman was knocked out, but he just got a TapOnTheHead from a falling crate as the original sequence (a xenomorph [[SuperStrength rips the hatch off the APC]] and stabs him with the tail) would have been too expensive to film.
91** ''Film/AlienCovenant'': The Neomorphs have barbed stingers on their tails.
92* ''Film/Anaconda3TheOffspring'': A stinger tail is one of the abilities the snakes get from their genetic enhancements.
93* ''Film/ByDawnsEarlyLight'': A trio of [=MiG=]-25 interceptors close in on Creator/PowersBoothe's B-52 from behind, until Sergeant Hooker gives one of them a face full of .50-cal from the bomber's tail guns. The two remaining [=MiGs=] quickly pull out of gun range, requiring the bomber crew to employ a more [[NukeEm extreme]] solution.
94* ''Film/{{Dragonheart}}'': Draco's tail ends in a barb.
95* ''Franchise/{{Godzilla}}'':
96** ''Film/KingKongEscapes'': Gorosaurus has a pointed barb at the end of his tail, but it can be hard to notice and he's never shown to actually use it in combat.
97** ''Film/GodzillaVsDestoroyah'': [[Characters/{{Godzilla}} Destoroyah]]'s tail ends with a pincer fitting that he's a (mutated) crustacean.
98** ''Film/GodzillaVsSpacegodzilla'': Spacegodzilla's crystal tip tail lets him stab things.
99** [[Characters/GodzillaTheGhidorahs King Ghidorah]], in every single incarnation, has a tail that splits into two at the halfway point, with the tips being decorated with spikes.
100%%* ''Franchise/JurassicPark'': A ''Stegosaurus'' attempts this in the second film.
101* ''Film/MenInBlack'': the Bug is a gigantic interstellar cockroach with a lethal stinger in its tail.
102* Franchise/MonsterVerse:
103** ''Film/GodzillaKingOfTheMonsters2019'': Besides [[Characters/MonsterVerseKingGhidorah King Ghidorah]] possessing the same spike-decorated twin tails of his previous incarnations; the film also gives [[Characters/MonsterVerseMothra Mothra]] a wasp-like stinger at the end of her abdomen, a trait she never had before, which she uses in the climactic battle [[spoiler:to (non-fatally) impale Rodan.]]
104** ''Film/GodzillaVsKong'': Mechagodzilla has a tail-blade that rotates like a drill and is used against Kong.
105* ''Film/HighPlainsInvaders'': The Bugs have a scorpion-like tails that fire sharpened mineral projectiles (which might be radioactive).
106* ''Film/TheMummyReturns'': The Scorpion King, as he's [[ScorpionPeople centaur-like scorpion]], has a tail ending in a venomous stinger.
107* ''Film/PacificRim'': [[GiantFlyer Otachi]] has a claw on her tail [[spoiler:which she uses to rip of [[HumongousMecha Crimson Typhoon]]'s head]]. [[FinalBoss Slattern]] has three extremely long spear-tipped tails. In addition to simply stabbing with them, he possesses a unique attack where he would spin his tails mesmerizingly, twisting them into tight spring-like spiral before suddenly uncoiling them, shooting them forward with incredible force.
108%%* ''Film/{{Splice}}'': Dren has one of these.
109* ''Film/TransformersFilmSeries'':
110** ''Film/Transformers2007'': Scorponok, being a giant scorpion mecha, has one much like a real scorpion.
111** ''Film/TransformersRevengeOfTheFallen'': The HoneyTrap Decepticon "Alice" is equipped with one, and uses it when trying to kill Sam.
112* ''Film/XMenFirstClass'': Azazel's tail ends in an arrow and he stabs an agent with it.
113[[/folder]]
114
115[[folder:Literature]]
116* ''Literature/AfterManAZoologyOfTheFuture'': The hiri-hiri has a PrehensileTail so strong that it strangles its prey with it.
117* ''Literature/AliceGirlFromTheFuture'': Rat, a shapeshifter (or LatexPerfection user, depending on the book) SpacePirate, resembles a fly-like insect with scorpion tail in his default form. [[SubvertedTrope However]], since the venom works only on those of his own species, which is mostly extinct, the only known use for it in the books is for stinging himself and PlayingPossum.
118* ''Literature/{{Animorphs}}'': Andalites and their super-fast scythe tails.
119* ''Literature/{{Below}}'': Brenish discovers that water nymphs have stinger tails—by accidentally burning one just before it could strike, [[GlamourFailure ruining the camouflage]]. He theorizes this is how nymphs incapacitate their victims to rob them of trinkets and valuables.
120* ''Literature/{{Circe}}'': Trygon is an extremely ancient stingray-like being whose tail is lethally venomous— enough to ward off deities who are much more powerful than Circe.
121* ''Literature/DeathtrapDungeon'': One of the paths can lead you to fight in [[GladiatorSidequest an arena]] against a [[BigCreepyCrawlies giant scorpion]]. If it manages to get attacks in with both its pincers it would follow up with a stinger, which guaranteed a near-instant kill for the reader.
122* ''Literature/{{Dinoverse}}'': Bertram is put into the body of an Ankylosaurus, and naturally his clubbed tail comes in handy several times. It's not his only [[{{Gasshole}} rear-mounted offensive talent]], just the one that's actually dangerous.
123* ''Literature/DrFranklinsIsland'': Semi-the-fish is a creature similar to a manta ray, with a tail that can lash and splash about dramatically when she's at the surface of the water. There is a sting in it, she doesn't know if it's lethal. [[spoiler: She never gets the chance to find out.]]
124* ''Literature/HarryPotter'': Chimeras are one of the confirmed magical beasts of the setting. Hagrid's Blast-Ended Skrewts also have stingers among their many unpleasant attributes.
125* ''Film/KongSkullIsland'': In the novelization, the [[Characters/MonsterVerseSkullIslandKaijuAndOtherCreatures Skull Devil]] has a bladed tail that it slashes at Kong with, something absent in the film.
126* ''Literature/TheMagicSchoolBus'': This becomes a worry in a book where the teacher shrinks the class and sends them into a beehive.
127* ''Literature/PercyJacksonAndTheOlympians'': In the third book, ''The Titan's Curse'', the heroes meet a character named Dr. Thorn who is actually a manticore and as such has the ability to shoot venomous spines from his tail.
128* ''Literature/{{Redwall}}'': Cluny the Scourge has a poisoned blade he attaches to his long tail.
129* ''Literature/{{Spellsinger}}'': The gatekeeper of Polistrindu is an intelligent beaver, whose personal armament includes a spiked metal plate that turns his flat tail into an intimidating weapon.
130* ''Literature/{{Stinger}}'': The alien antagonist and the biomechanical replicants it creates have segmented tails ending in a heavy ball of spikes which are used as brutal weapons (and in the case of the larger replicants, they are also used to demolish buildings and cars like a wrecking ball).
131* ''Literature/TheThrawnTrilogy'': [[http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Vornskr Vornskrs]] are vaguely wolf-like creatures with heavy venom-bearing tails. When the tails are amputated, the creatures become calmer and are easier to domesticate.
132* s ''Literature/Twisted2010'': Static the living bumper car can sting people with his cable-tail, apparently vis an electrical shock.
133* ''Literature/WingsOfFire'': The [=SandWings=] have a scorpion-like venomous barb at the end of their tails.
134* ''Literature/{{Xanth}}'': In the novel ''A Spell For Chameleon'', the manticora has the tail of a scorpion (and is featured on the [[https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/A_Spell_For_Chameleon_cover.jpg cover]]).
135[[/folder]]
136
137[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
138* ''Into the Universe With Creator/StephenHawking'': A hypothetical species of predator with a pair of stinger-tails appeared on an alien life-themed episode.
139* ''Series/Merlin2008'' has the Manticore, a creature of legend, and the serkets, giant scorpions, both with stinger tails.
140* ''Franchise/SuperSentai'': Several characters and mecha have this as a weapon. Most of the time, when a MonsterOfTheWeek is based on a scorpion, it has a stinger tail.
141** Lami in ''Series/KyoryuSentaiZyuranger'' AKA Scorpina from ''Series/MightyMorphinPowerRangers'' has a deadly tail capable of [[ShockAndAwe electrocution]] in her giant, monstrous form. On the side of the good guys, Dragon Ceasar/Dragonzord also has a [[ThisIsADrill drill]] on the end of its tail.
142** Both the Tyrannosaurus and Ankylosaurus mecha from ''Series/BakuryuuSentaiAbaranger'' (which is adapted into ''Series/PowerRangersDinoThunder'') have drills for their tails. The Parasaurolophus has a tail that opens like a pair of scissors.
143** Gozyujin, the HumongousMecha belonging to the SixthRanger in ''Series/KaizokuSentaiGokaiger'' (adapted as ''Series/PowerRangersSuperMegaforce'') has one transformation based on a theropod dinosaur, which, like Dragon Ceasar and the Abaranger Mecha above, has a drill at the tip of its tail. The similarity in this case is justified, as this mecha is meant to be similar to both the Zyuranger and Abaranger Mecha, as ''Gokaiger'' is an anniversary series.
144** Yet another dinosaur-based example happens in ''Series/ZyudenSentaiKyoryuger'' (and its adaptation ''[[Series/PowerRangersDinoCharge Power Rangers Dino (Super) Charge]]'', where each of the dinosaurs capable of transforming into an arm has its weapon inside its tail. These weapons include a claw, gun, hammer, wrecking ball and, yet again, a drill.
145** The aptly named Stinger from ''Series/UchuSentaiKyuranger'' is a HumanoidAlien with a venomous tail, which he can extend at will to execute sneak attacks. His Ranger powers are based on the Scorpius constellation, so naturally, his Mecha is based on a scorpion and has a laser-shooting tail.
146* ''Series/TerraNova'': The slashers have tails tipped with hard, serrated blades that they wield like whips.
147* ''Series/ThatMitchellAndWebbLook'': ''Not'' the Armored Scorpion of Death. Its tail simply fires "helpful bullets".
148* ''Franchise/UltraSeries'': Many kaiju use their tails as weapons, so it comes as no surprise some of them are tipped with deadly weapons too.
149** ''Series/UltramanLeo'': Antales is a scorpion-like alien from the constellation of Scorpius (where else?) with a pincer-like stinger on its tail. In its human disguise, the tail becomes invisible in order to strike Gen in the head when challenging him to a martial arts duel. Additionally, in kaiju form, it can use its tail like a flamethrower.
150** ''Series/UltramanNexus'': Grantella is a scorpion Space Beast that shoots ''lasers'' from its stinger tail.
151** ''Series/UltramanMax'': Ruganogar can use its needle-tipped tail to stab Max in battle and drain his Color Timer's energy.
152** ''Series/UltramanMebius'': Kelbeam has a spiked club on its tail. Additionally, it can spin itself like a tornado to recklessly destroy its surroundings with said weapon.
153** ''Series/UltramanOrbTheOriginSaga'': The Bezelbs use their stinger tail to inject victims with Kugutsu venom, causing them to become mindlessly violent slaves to their HiveQueen.
154* ''Series/YoungHercules'' gives the hydra a spiked tail.
155[[/folder]]
156
157[[folder:Myths & Religion]]
158* Thanks in no small part to MixAndMatchCritters, many mythical and legendary creatures are described as having barbed, spiked, or otherwise dangerous tails. Some go so far as to have a ''snake'' for a tail.
159** The UrExample is the ScorpionPeople of Myth/MesopotamianMythology.
160** The Chimera of Myth/ClassicalMythology is often portrayed with its snake head as being on its tail. The Sphinx and Cerberus are also occasionally depicted with similar tails.
161** The dread {{Yokai}} known as the {{Nue}} also possesses a snake for a tail, which is one reason for its common nickname, the "Japanese Chimera".
162** The [[OurManticoresAreSpinier Manticore]] is described as either having a tail loaded with deadly spines or simply having a scorpion's tail. Either way, it's agreed upon that being hit means instant death.
163** Among the FearsomeCrittersOfAmericanFolklore is the Ball-Tailed Cat (also called Digmaul, Dingmaul, Silvercat, or Slivercat), which uses its clubbed tail to bash prey.
164** The Ahuizotl of Myth/AztecMythology possessed a hand on the end of its tail, which it used to snatch humans and pull them into the water to be eaten.
165* One of the distinguishing features of [[OurWyvernsAreDifferent wyverns]] is a venomous stinger at the end of its tail.
166[[/folder]]
167
168[[folder:Pinballs]]
169* ''Pinball/FlashGordon'': Flash is shown reaching into a hollow stump that contains a giant Wood Beast, complete with a deadly stinger.
170[[/folder]]
171
172[[folder:Puppet Shows]]
173* ''Series/FraggleRock'': Among the dangerous creatures of Fraggle Rock are the Poison Cacklers, which have large teeth, protruding tongues, and tails similar to those of scorpions.
174[[/folder]]
175
176[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
177* ''TabletopGame/{{Champions}}'': The villain Ankylosaur is a man wearing powered armor with a GrenadeLauncher in his tail.
178* ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'':
179** In some versions, dragons can use their tails as weapons (usually to hit creatures directly behind them). Fang dragons in particular have long tails tipped in a forked pair of scythelike blades.
180** A dracotaur's tail is lined with strong, sharp spikes that allow it to be swung as an effective weapon.
181** Wyverns have a stinger with a very strong venom, as do purple worms and, obviously, scorpions.
182** In the ''Oriental Adventures'' supplement, members of the [[RatMen Nezumi]] race can equip tail spikes as an exotic weapon.
183** The catoblepas, although infamous for its DeadlyGaze, also sports a bony club on the end of its long tail. As adventurers' favored method of killing this swamp herbivore is to attack it when it's grazing on water weeds and its head is submerged, a tail attack comes in handy.
184** Guulvorgs have long tails ending in bony maces.
185* ''TabletopGame/{{Godforsaken}}'': A manticore can use its poisonous scorpion-like tail to strike a nearby creature or hurl up to four barbs up to a short distance away, hitting one or more creatures in an immediate area.
186%%* ''TabletopGame/{{GURPS}}'': A common form of Striker.
187* ''TabletopGame/{{Pathfinder}}'':
188** Kobolds can attach weapons to their tail, with the appropriate feat.
189** Digmauls are big cats with tails ending in spiked, bony clubs, which they use to batter prey to death and to message to each other by drumming them on logs.
190** ''TabletopGame/{{Pathfinder}}'': The game's version of the Tarrasque can launch spikes from its tail. This was added to counter the ranged kiting tactics that could trivialize a fight with the D&D version of the monster.
191** "Old Tilimaquin", a taxidermied cryptid on display at a tavern, looks like a wolverine with a spiked club of bone at the end of its tail. Neither the tavern's current owners nor anyone in town can recall where it came from, or even if it's real or fake.
192* ''TabletopGame/{{Rifts}}'': The "Tsunami" Dragon Borg has a particle-beam cannon for a tail.
193* ''Franchise/{{Warhammer}}'':
194** The daemonic Fiends of Slaanesh have long, sinuous tails that are tipped with a viciously sharp barbed stinger. These stingers constantly drip a highly venomous liquid capable of bringing exquisite agony and death to any mortal creature.
195** Like their representations in other works of fiction, Wyverns from ''TabletopGame/WarhammerFantasy'' and ''TabletopGame/WarhammerAgeOfSigmar'' have tails that end in a wickedly barbed, venomous stinger. In some versions of the rules a wyvern who is slain can make one last Taking You with Me attack with the stinger before it falls.
196** The Fimir from ''TabletopGame/WarhammerFantasy'', ''TabletopGame/WarhammerFantasyRoleplay'' and ''TabletopGame/WarhammerAgeOfSigmar'' have tails that end in [[NaturalWeapon a bony club]] perfect for bludgeoning any enemies who approach too close.
197** ''TabletopGame/{{Mordheim}}'': {{Mutants}} and [[DemonicPossession Possessed]] of the Cult of the Possessed warband can purchase the scorpion tail mutation, giving them a long tail that ends with a barbed stinger that drips deadly venom from its tip. Models with this mutation are able to use it to make an extra attack during close combat.
198** ''TabletopGame/Warhammer40000'':
199*** From the 4th Edition of the game onwards, the [[HordeOfAlienLocusts Tyranid]] Carnifex has the option of has either a scythe or mace tail upgrade option. The difference is that the scythe tail has multiple weak attacks while the mace tail has one strong attack. Later editions give these weapons to other beasties such as Hive Tyrants and Trygons.
200*** The Brass Scorpion [[HauntedTechnology daemon engines]] of [[WarGod Khorne]] mount a rapid fire scorpion cannon at the end of their tails that can unleash a hail of bullets to shred their enemies.
201*** The Clawed Fiends, apelike alien beasts used by the Drukhari in battle, have long tails that end in sharp bony spikes, which they can whip through groups of opponents to wound and maim them.
202** ''TabletopGame/WarhammerFantasyRoleplay'': The Scorpion Tail mutation, one of the mutation options in the 2E ''Tome of Corruption'', causes the bearer to develop a long, armor-plated tail tipped with a hooked, poisonous stinger. The Spiked Tail mutation instead produces a reptilian tail ending in a spiked ball built for bashing blows. Mechanically speaking, these are strictly beneficial additions, as they give powerful weapons for no built-in downsides. Socially, however, they're a ''tiny'' bit of a handicap.
203[[/folder]]
204
205[[folder:Toys]]
206* ''Toys/{{Bionicle}}'' is the {{Trope Namer|s}}, based on a {{memetic|Mutation}} quote ostensibly from a [[ScaryScorpions Vorox]] on its website. Besides the Vorox, we also have the [[BigCreepyCrawlies Nui-Rama, Nui-Kopen, Nui-Jaga, Kofo-Jaga]], [[RodentsOfUnusualSize Kinloka]], [[AIIsACrapshoot Krahli]], Zivon, Hydruka, Zesk, and Skopio (and [[SpiderTank Skopio XV-1]]). ''Toys/Bionicle2015'' even gives the trope AscendedMeme status when Ekimu warns the Toa of the Skull Scorpio's tails by reciting the quote verbatim.
207* ''WesternAnimation/{{Mixels}}'' has various characters with weaponized tails, such as Flamzer with a fire-spewing one, Teslo with an electric-tipped one, Scorpi with a double-bladed one, Mesmo with a magic spell-dropping one, and Wizwuz with a hooked one.
208* ''Franchise/{{Transformers}}'': Every incarnation of Scorponok comes with these.
209[[/folder]]
210
211[[folder:Video Games]]
212* ''VideoGame/{{Albion}}''
213** The Iskai are a sapient humanoid race native to the planet with distinctive feline characteristics, including long tails, but unlike cats' theirs are {{Prehensile Tail}}s. Iskai characters in your party, like Drirr, may use their tails as an additional weapon slot.
214** Warniaks are flying predators that look like huge flying bugs (though they are vertebrates), and they have tails that hang below them and push out a venomous singer when they attack with them.
215* ''VideoGame/AliensVsPredator'': Tail attacks are commonly given to Xenomorphs.
216* ''VideoGame/AxiomVerge'': Gir-Tab is a scorpion-like biomechanical creature that [[WasOnceAMan used to be human]]. His tail has a flamethrower attached to it that he uses liberally in his boss battle.
217* ''VideoGame/{{Brawlhalla}}'' has [[OurGargoylesRock Onyx]] who has her Gauntlet Down Signature and Cannon Side Signature involving hitting forward with a scorpion tail made out of stone. The only difference is how she follows up: Another tail swipe for gauntlets and a blast for Cannon. In her up signature for Cannon she uses the tail to point the cannon upwards, instead of her arms.
218* ''VideoGame/{{Bug|1995}}'' has the eponymous character, who defeats his enemies by jumping on them with his stinger tail. There are also ''literal'' army ants that fire grenades out of their stingers, as well as scorpions (who rarely use their tail, preferring to attack with their claws instead).
219* ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaDawnOfSorrow'' had two souls you could get that allowed your character to grow a tail. It would strike whenever you attacked for an additional hit.
220* ''VideoGame/{{Cataclysm}}'': [[http://www.wiki.cataclysmdda.com/index.php?title=Spiked_Tail Gaining this]] is a possible result of drinking too many mutagens.
221* ''VideoGame/CityOfHeroes'': [[TheDragon Black Scorpion]] has one of these, as his name would imply. His tail is used for firing energy beams, not stinging, though.
222%%* ''VideoGame/CrushCrumbleAndChomp'': One of the possible monster powers available.
223* ''VideoGame/DantesInferno'': Devils from the [[SevenDeadlySins Lust Circle]] have deadly scorpion tails. Just [[BodyHorror not]] [[FanDisservice in]] the usual [[VaginaDentata place]]...
224* ''VideoGame/DarksidersGenesis'': In his [[SuperMode Anarchy form]], Strife gains barbed tail that he can use either to fire beams of energy or as a melee weapon.
225* ''VideoGame/DarkSouls'' has beast-based enemies that use their tails to knock the player off their feet, and deal significant damage if there is a weapon attached to the tail. Said tail can usually be cut off and collected as a rare weapon... Which makes the optional killing of the cute dragon girl and cutting off her really short tail very [[KickTheDog cruel and violent]].
226* ''Franchise/{{Disgaea}}'': Succubi can attack with their tail, [[LifeDrain draining hit points]].
227* ''VideoGame/DonPachi'': Hibachi, the eponymous [[InfernalRetaliation Angry]] [[TrueFinalBoss Boss]] [[BeeAfraid Bee]] can shoot [[BulletHell Eleventy Billion bullets]] at you from her stinger and shoot the stinger itself and then pull it back with a chain that also shoots bullets.
228%%* ''VideoGame/DragonQuest'': Tail eaters and mad hornets.
229* ''Franchise/TheElderScrolls'': This is a tactic of Winged Twilights, a [[BatOutOfHell bat-like]] form of [[OurDemonsAreDifferent lesser Daedra]] with some [[HarpingOnAboutHarpies harpy-like]] traits. Their primary method of attack is to fly slightly above their target and whip around their sharp, hooked tail. Otherwise, they kick with their taloned feet.
230* ''VideoGame/{{Extrapower}}'': The Spy Flies in Dark Force's army are giant alien dragonflies engineered for hardened, razor-sharp tails that they use to attack their foes. It's best demonstrated in ''[[VideoGame/EXTRAPOWERAttackOfDarkforce Attack of Darkforce]]'' when a Spy Fly crashes through the windsheild of the plane that the heroes are riding in and effortlessly drives its tail through the pilot's face.
231* ''VideoGame/{{Fallout}}'':
232** You'd ''better'' beware the Radscorpion's stinger tail!
233** ''VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas'': The DLC ''Old World Blues'' has Robo-Scorpions that will sting you with their pointy laser tails [[ForScience In the name of science!]]
234* ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'':
235** The series has had many bosses with a stinger tail, many of which seem to have been inspired by the Guard Scorpion of ''VII''.
236** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII'' has The Guard Scorpion of Midgar's Sector 1 Mako Reactor, a giant [[MechanicalMonster Mechanical Scorpion]] that serves as the first boss of the game. Particularly memorable due to TutorialFailure as a combination of [[BlindIdiotTranslation bad translation]] and [[CueCardPause an unfortunately broken-up set of instructions]], making Cloud's warning of "[[AttackTheTail Attack while its tail is up]]" appears several seconds before seeing "it'll counterattack with [[BeamSpam its laser!]]", causing several players to make a mistake eat the CounterAttack.
237** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVIIRemake'' has it return, now called the "Sentinel Scorpion", who doesn't have the "CounterAttack" mechanic, but still fires plenty of BeamSpam from its mechanical stinger tail.
238** Many Notorious Monster Species in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXI'' have a special attack for players who get hate from behind, such as Behemoth with "Kick Out", Hydra with "Serpentine Tail", and Khimaira with "Plague Swipe". But the absolute kings of this trope are the [[OurDragonsAreDifferent Wyrms]] with [[EpicFlail Spike Flail]] which is virtually an InstantDeathRadius for the Alliance fighting the mob if someone pulled hate from behind, or for anyone who happens to be nearby in the case of certain powerful monsters like Nidhogg.
239** The first stage in disabling ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyX2's'' Vegnagun is destroying its vicious tail. Its attack is called [[GratuitousLatin Noli Mi Tangere]].
240** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXII'': Cúchulainn has a stinger tail that sprouts out of his back during his LimitBreak.
241** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIII'' has the Manasvin Warmech has a similar tail, and is likewise the first boss of its game in a deliberate homage to Guard Scorpion.
242** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyType0'' has the Vajra which heavily resembles the Guard Scorpion.
243** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIV'' Stormblood expansion has a Magitek Scorpion boss in Ala Mhigo which also greatly resembles the Guard Scorpion.
244* ''VideoGame/GeneTroopers'' has gigantic reptilian monsters in forest-themed planets, whose main weapon is their barbed tail.
245* The giant scorpion boss from ''VideoGame/GodOfWarIII'' can attack with its sting.
246* In ''VideoGame/GoldenAxe: The Revenge of Death Adder'', one of the {{Powerup Mount}}s is a giant scorpion that attacks with an electrified stinger.
247* Dizzy's tail in ''VideoGame/GuiltyGear'' games looks normal, but like the rest of her body, she can transform it into various painful implements to defend herself.
248* ''VideoGame/LeagueOfLegends'':
249** Skarner is a giant, sentient crystal scorpion, so this clearly applies. One of his lines is "Beware my sting!"
250** Vel'koz doesn't exactly have a tail, but one of his tentacles is in the same place, and he lifts it over his head like a scorpion for one of his auto-attack animations and for his ultimate.
251* ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfSpyro'':
252** Cynder has a metal blade at the end of her tail that can be used as a weapon in various ways, including coating it with her Poison element.
253** Although he never uses it in battle, the Earth Guardian Terrador has a rocky, ankylosaur-like mace at the end of his tail.
254* ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'':
255** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkToThePast'': The Helmasaur King can attack with a spiked ball at the end of its tail.
256** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaLinksAwakening'': Slime Eel's tail ends in a giant flail that it swings in a circle around the arena.
257** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheMinishCap'': The Male Gyorg can swivel its tail around to hit Link when the latter is trying to attack the Female partner.
258** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTwilightPrincess'': The Lizalfos tie sharp objects, such as axe heads, to their tails.
259** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSkywardSword'':
260*** Lizalfos tie spiked balls to their tails, which you can collect after you kill them for use in item upgrades.
261*** Moldarach is a giant scorpion boss whose tail attacks supplement its giant pincers.
262** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkBetweenWorlds'': The Gemesaur King's tail is tipped with a cluster of sharp crystals, which it swings around as a weapon in combat.
263* ''Franchise/{{Metroid}}'':
264** ''VideoGame/SuperMetroid'':
265*** This is the first game in the series where Ridley demonstrates his deadly, serrated tail with a spaded stinger. Unlike most attacks, it can damage Samus while she's using the Screw Attack. In ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosUltimate'' he [[https://youtu.be/8vkjzHUayZE?t=18 impales]] ''Franchise/MegaMan'' with it.
266*** Evirs fire spiked balls from their tails, usually while buried in sand so Samus cannot retaliate. Draygon has a very damaging sting, but has to get close to Samus.
267** Other adherents of this trope in the ''Metroid'' series include Kanden, the War Wasps and the Kihunters.
268* Most Wyverns and other types of monsters in ''VideoGame/MonsterHunter'' ''can'' and ''will'' smack you with their tails. Luckily, you can usually [[AttackTheTail cut the tails]] of most monsters ''off'', greatly reducing their effectiveness (or range, at the least).
269** ''VideoGame/MonsterHunter2004'':
270*** The Rathian and Rathalos and all their variants use their tails in their attacks; Rathian, in particular, can envenomate you with hers, just like the Wyvern of legend and even does an aerial backflip to attack you with its tail.
271*** Diablos and their variants have an axe-shaped tail they use in many attacks, inducing the KO effect.
272** ''[[VideoGame/MonsterHunterFreedom2 Monster Hunter Freedom Unite]]'': Nargacuga has a long spiked tail, using it to swipe or smash hunters. It also [[SpikeShooter throws long-range spikes]] by flinging the tail around. The Green subspecies (introduced in ''Portable 3rd'') and the Lucent rare species (introduced in ''3 Ultimate'') make even more efficient uses of their tails during battle, and the latter one can even throw ''poisonous'' spikes with it.
273** ''VideoGame/MonsterHunter3Tri'': Gobul's tail is tipped with quills that are capable of [[TheParalyzer inflicting paralysis]] if touched.
274** ''VideoGame/MonsterHunterPortable3rd'': The Duramboros uses its huge tail like a hammer, usually in a SpinAttack. The UpdatedRerelease of ''Tri'', ''3 Ultimate'', introduces the subspecies Rust Duramboros, which can spin its tail as well (only the tail itself has the form of an axe).
275** ''VideoGame/MonsterHunter4'':
276*** The Nerscylla has a stinger in its abdomen that can induce the Sleep status effect. The Shrouded subspecies, introduced in the UpdatedRerelease ''4 Ultimate'', has its abdomen [[DiscardAndDraw paralyze the hunter instead]].
277*** The Seltas Queen has a long pincer tail that she uses to capture Seltas and attack hunters. The Desert subspecies, introduced in the UpdatedRerelease ''4 Ultimate'', can do the same thing.
278** ''VideoGame/MonsterHunterGenerations'':
279*** Astalos has the tip of its tail shaped like a pair of scissors, which [[TheParalyzer paralyzes anyone]] that gets hit by it.
280*** Glavenus has a razor-edged swordtail that it uses for the majority of its attacks. It's dangerous enough as is, but it'll occasionally decide to superheat its tail with its flame breath, granting its attacks [[IncendiaryExponent fiery after-effects]] for extra pain, but also softens it and makes it vulnerable to being cut off. the ''Iceborne'' expansion of ''VideoGame/MonsterHunterWorld'' adds an Acidic subspecies that secretes an armor-eating acid along the tail blade.
281** ''VideoGame/MonsterHunterWorld Iceborne'': Velkhana uses the tip of its tail as a lance to jab at hunters from various angles.
282** ''VideoGame/MonsterHunterRise'': Magnamalo has a distinctly bladed tail that it can use to sling hot violet flames (known as Hellfire). The Scorned variant of the monster, introduced in the ''Sunbreak'' expansion, can use its tail to sling even stronger flames.
283* The worms and arrowheads from ''VideoGame/MonsterRancher'' have extendable stings.
284* A few ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'' attacks, such as Seviper's [[PoisonousPerson Poison Tail]] as described in the page quote. Though it doesn't make much use of it in the main series games, Charizard's tail attacks in ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'' series cause the most damage when striking with the flame on the tip.
285%%* Vertigo in ''VideoGame/PrimalRage''.
286* Giant Scorpions wander the Shapeir desert in ''VideoGame/QuestForGloryII'', and are deadly combatants, the second-toughest random monsters you can fight. Their tails are particularly deadly: when it starts to shake, you'd better either run away, prepare to dodge, or prepare to die, as a single strike will kill you no matter how many health points you have left. Poison ''cure'' pills can make you temporarily immune to the scorpion's tail strike, but due to the way the game is coded, it will ''always'' wear off when the stinger starts to shake, making the pills functionally useless.
287* ''VideoGame/{{Shantae}}'' features scorpion people in the desert outside Oasis Town. The female variant just swipes at you when you come close, but the males will jab their stinger through the ground to hit you from farther away. ''VideoGame/ShantaeAndTheSevenSirens'' calls them Scorpgals, and also have the larger and male version, Scorpmen.
288* Egyptian venom Goddess Serqet as portrayed in ''VideoGame/{{Smite}}'' is supposed to represent most of the venomous animals like scorpions or snakes. Well, for that, she has a HUGE scorpion tail right on her back.
289* The Skorp Badnik from ''VideoGame/Sonic3AndKnuckles'', Charmy from latter games, being a bee.
290* In ''VideoGame/{{Spore}}'', if you attach a weapon to your creature's tail and make it an epic, it will use its tail weapon to attack.
291* ''VideoGame/TitanQuest'' has plenty of giant scorpions and scorpionmen on the deserts of Egypt, whose stings inflict a hefty poison debuff. The [[EliteMooks elite]] scorpionmen in particular are [[LightningBruiser Lightning Bruisers]] who DashAttack before stinging.
292* Trypticon in ''VideoGame/TransformersWarForCybertron'' uses his enormous tail for both projectile attacks (two rows of cannons along the underside fire at you when he has it curled up over himself) and physical attacks (slamming his tail down on one side of the stage, you have to get out of the way AND jump to avoid taking damage).
293* In ''Videogame/VivaPinata: Trouble in Paradise'', the S'morepion paralyzes piñatas as a Sour, but does it to Ruffians instead when tamed.
294* Most dragon bosses in ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'' do this in some manner.
295[[/folder]]
296
297[[folder:Web Animation]]
298* The Disassembly Drones in ''WebAnimation/{{Murder Drones}}'' have these as part of their massive arsenal. They’re filled with nanite acid that can easily burn through metal, which can only be neutralized by their saliva. Of course, it also presents risks to the Disassembly Drones themselves too, as seen when N nearly stabs his head with his tail by accident while talking to Uzi. Additionally, Uzi later takes advantage of this, stabbing J’s leg while she’s monologuing about how Uzi resisting her is futile.
299** In Episode 4, the risks to the Disassembly Drones themselves once again come back up, when Uzi almost stabs V in the head with the vial from her tail, which she had torn off, before promptly stabbing N in his hand when he intervenes. His casual response is comical in contrast to Uzi’s panic when she got stabbed in Episode 1, though, as he simply says “ow” before sticking his hand into his mouth. Considering that in Episode 1 he implied he’s been jabbed, likely accidentally by himself at least a few times, before, he might just be so used to having dealt with incidents like that that it doesn’t really affect him.
300* [[AxCrazy Tyrian]] from ''WebAnimation/{{RWBY}}'', naturally, as he is literally a [[LittleBitBeastly Scorpion Faunus]].
301[[/folder]]
302
303[[folder:Webcomics]]
304* ''Webcomic/BattleKreaturez'' Many Battle Kreatures are equipped with deadly tail weapons, most notably Wally the Platrox, the SeriesMascot.
305* In ''Webcomic/CaptainUfo'', the scorpion pirates have, appropriately, scorpion stingers at the end of their tails. The admiral's champion uses his stinger as a weapon during the duel with Commander Grishko, toward the end of season one.
306* In ''Webcomic/ChampionsOfFaraus'', Kasyzons, which are some sort of predatory creature, have scorpion-like tails.
307* Lezzaria of ''Webcomic/CharbyTheVampirate'' has a barbed tail from which she spins her webs and can use to impart a powerful paralyzing sting.
308* There are a couple of ''Webcomic/DawnOfTime'' strips involving barbed stegosaurus tails.
309* In ''Webcomic/ElGoonishShive'', Grace's Omega form has spikes on each of its three tails but only when she's [[YouWouldntLikeMeWhenImAngry angry]].
310* One of the alternate universe Kin from ''Webcomic/{{Goblins}}'' is half-scorpion instead of half-snake. She goes on at length about how her armored, razor sharp, venomous tail is superior to "our" Kin's fleshy, soft, weaponless tail. [[spoiler: until that [[PrehensileTail fleshy, soft tail]] manages to [[CombatTentacles wrap itself around Scorpion!Kin's throat]].]]
311* In ''Webcomic/TheInexplicableAdventuresOfBob'' although Galatea's tail does not actually have a stinger, when she's really angry she crouches down and her tail arcs forward over her head threateningly like a scorpion tail.
312* [[AccidentalMurder Accidentally]] [[PoisonousPerson inflicted]] in one of ''ComicStrip/ThePerryBibleFellowship'''s [[[[http://pbfcomics.com/comics/scorpy-the-forest-friend/ crueler moments.]]
313* ''Webcomic/SlightlyDamned'':
314** The [[GiantMook earth demon]] Iratu has a massive [[SinisterScythe scythe-like]] blade at the end of his tail, however when his [[spoiler:moon pendant]] isn't activated it changes to a spearhead shape and his tail becomes proportionally shorter and thicker.
315** Also when [[spoiler:Sakido [[SuicideAttack goes berserk]]]] she sprouts a long bladed tail which we see her use to [[spoiler:[[ImpaledWithExtremePrejudice skewer]] a demon.]]
316[[/folder]]
317
318[[folder:Web Original]]
319* ''Blog/CodexInversus'': Chimericats have long, agile tails tipped with sharp blades, which they use to skewer flying or leaping prey and to slash at larger opponents.
320[[/folder]]
321
322[[folder:Western Animation]]
323* ''WesternAnimation/AngelWars'': Gargoyle-type demons called ripwings have the ability to stab targets with the sharp point of their tails and electrocute them.
324* ''WesternAnimation/BatmanTheBraveAndTheBold'': In "Cry Freedom Fighters!", the Supreme Chairman's battle suit includes a stinger tail.
325* ''WesternAnimation/BeastWars'':
326** Scorponok could create a variety of toxins and launch them from his scorpion tail. His venom is noted to be primarily chemically-based rather than the computer viruses Tarantulas and Blackarachnia use.
327** Quickstrike goes one step further, [[MixAndMatchCritters having a cobra in place of his tail.]]
328* In ''WesternAnimation/Ben10'', one of Ben's original aliens, Stinkfly, has a sharp spiked tail that can cut through metal with ease.
329* ''WesternAnimation/FamilyGuy'' had an episode with a talking bee (who sounds CampGay), which warns people about its stinger. It accidentally stings itself ([[FridgeLogic somehow...]]) later in the episode, and dies. Sounds like they read ''ComicStrip/ShermansLagoon''.
330* WesternAnimation/FelixTheCat's tail sometimes serves as this, seeing as [[CartoonyTail it can do pretty much anything]]. In an episode of ''WesternAnimation/TheTwistedTalesOfFelixTheCat'', he turns it into a mallet and smashes his alarm clock with it.
331* Whiplash from ''WesternAnimation/HeManAndTheMastersOfTheUniverse1983'' has a muscular tail used to crush or strike things. Unfortunately, it was also used to grab onto and throw him. The 2002 version adds a spiked ball to his tail to make this harder.
332* Zok of ''WesternAnimation/TheHerculoids'' is a dragon that can shoot stuff from its tail.
333* ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'':
334** Spike the "baby" dragon balances himself on his barbed tail to act as a jack-hammer, including on an attacker's foot. He also impales a box with his tail in the first episode.
335** The chimera's tail is a snake, with the tail ending in a snake's head.
336** When Ember competes in the Gauntlet of Fire, her tail armor has spikes on it, including one at the tip, though she doesn't really use it for anything.
337* Siege from ''WesternAnimation/MightyDucksTheAnimatedSeries'' has a club on his tail.
338* Finster, the half-man/half-mechanical scorpion crimelord from ''WesternAnimation/TheSecretSaturdays''.
339* Scorpia of ''WesternAnimation/SheRaAndThePrincessesOfPower'' has one of these, befitting a scorpion-woman. Her venom is a surprisingly safe knock-out drug with no apparent after effects once the victim regains the ability to move, which she even uses on allies if she needs to stop them.
340[[/folder]]
341
342[[folder:Real Life]]
343* Many prehistoric creatures are known to have had structures on their tails that could be used as weapons:
344** Perhaps the most famous are the ones possessed by [[ToughArmoredDinosaur thyreophoran dinosaurs]] -- the club wielded by ''Ankylosaurus'' and its relatives and the spikes carried by ''Stegosaurus'' and ''its'' relatives. The Other Wiki has a page for the stegosaurian versions specifically under its official name, "[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thagomizer Thagomizer]]" (taken from a strip from ''ComicStrip/TheFarSide'').
345** Ankylosaurs came in three varieties, each sporting a different tail weapon:
346*** The northern variety, the euankylosaurs (found in North America and Asia), can be divided into two subgroups; the nodosaurids and ankylosaurids. Ankylosaurids are the club-tailed, Late Cretaceous variety, which includes some of the largest genera (like ''Ankylosaurus'' and ''Tarchia''), while nodosaurids contain a wider variety of genera, ranging from little Jurassic critters like ''Gargoyleosaurus'' to Late Cretaceous giants like ''Edmontonia'', and they lacked clubs, and instead had tails with sideway-facing spikes. The former tail weapon could easily break the leg bones of a tyrannosaur (their main predators), while the latter would have resulted in lethal goring.
347*** The southern variety, the parankylosaurs (known from Argentina, Antarctica, and Australia), are much less well-understood (due to the rarity of their fossils), but based on the very complete ''Stegouros'', they had evolved a very different kind of tail weapon, which experts have likened to an Aztec war club, though older forms like the ''Kunbarrasaurus'' hadn’t yet evolved that feature (looking more like nodosaurids). They would have used those weapons to defend themselves from abelisaurs and megaraptorans.
348** Sauropods are thought to have used their tails as weapons against predators. The last bit of many sauropods' tails lack the ossified tendons that hold the rest of the tail rigid and are very slim, which would have let them use their tails like [[TailSlap whips]] to crack at enemies to discourage them. Some other herbivorous dinosaurs like hadrosaurs and iguanadons may have also used their tails as bludgeoning weapons. There was even one sauropod, ''Shunosaurus'', that independently evolved a spiked tail club like those used by the ankylosaurs.[[note]]''Shunosaurus'' was among the smallest known sauropods, being a mere three tons (smaller than a male elephant), and thus had more need of a powerful defensive weapon than a {{kaiju}}-sized species would.[[/note]]
349** [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drepanosaurus Drepanosaurs]] were a clade of small tree-dwelling reptiles from the Triassic with grasping hands, [[HandyFeet feet]], and a {{prehensile tail}} much like those of modern-day monkeys. Unlike monkeys, though, they had curved claws tipping each of these appendages, thus earning their name, which translates to "sickle lizard". One of the largest and most notable of these claws is the one on their tail.
350** Gyptodonts were giant, heavily armored armadillos who inhabited the Americas during the late age of mammals. Their armor extended to their tails -- most had armored tails that could be swung like bludgeons, and a few developed ''Ankylosaurus''-like bony clubs. However, due to the fact that their bodies were too broad and inflexible for them to see behind themselves, they probably didn't use the tail clubs for defending themselves from predators and instead used them for sparing with rivals of the same species, smacking each other in the bodies. Damage to their side armor supports this as well.
351* There are small vipers that have similar spiky tails, but they don't use them to attack. It's still the other end of the viper you should beware of. The tail resembles a small invertebrate and is used to attract prey to the viper, a process known as caudal luring.
352* Some bees, wasps, and ants can spray formic acid from the end of their abdomens. One of them, the Asian Giant Hornet, is one of the most dangerous flying insects in the world.
353* Stingrays may be peaceful fish, but bothering them is a very bad idea. Depending on the species, they may have a spike up to 40 cm long stabbing with force enough to pierce a wooden boat's bottom, and it's often venomous as well. The largest species, the short-tailed stingray, is infamous for causing the death of Creator/SteveIrwin, after he got too close to one by mistake and [[ImpaledWithExtremePrejudice got speared straight through the chest]].
354* Those pretty blue or yellow tangs seen in saltwater aquariums? They get their name from the "tangs" protruding from the hilt of a dagger, because they have retractable spines on each side of their tails that they use to discourage pursuing predators. As do their cousins, the surgeonfishes. And [[WesternAnimation/FindingNemo Dory]] is one of them!
355* {{Sc|aryScorpions}}orpions, of course, have venomous stingers at the end of their tails.[[note]]Though technically, it’s not a tail as in a separate limb, but is actually the metasoma, part of the abdomen.[[/note]]
356* North American porcupines defend themselves by turning their backs on their attackers and lashing their spine-filled tails in the would be-predator's face. Other species of porcupines avert this as they either lack long tails (like the African and Asian species), or have a spineless, prehensile tail (South American arboreal porcupines), so they instead run backwards at their enemies, quills-first.
357* The long tails of lizards can be used as either an escape mechanism via autotomy or as weapons. Many large lizards such as monitors and iguanas can [[TailSlap whip their tails in self-defense]] and cause painful injuries, while some smaller species such as the aptly-named spiny-tailed lizards instead opt for short but strong tails with spiky scales that they can use like morningstars to discourage attackers.
358* Thematically similar are aircraft tail gunners, much more common in WWII bombers but still extant in modern Russian bombers, to fight off chasing fighters. Descriptions of them often [[InvokedTrope reference them as the "stinger in the tail"]].
359[[/folder]]

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