N※N

Live Science crossword puzzle #9: A 'royal' snake that wears a hood -- 14 across

  //science-technology.news-articles.net/content/2 .. 9-a-royal-snake-that-wears-a-hood-14-across.html
  Published in Science and Technology on Monday, September 8th 2025 at 12:09 GMT by Live Science
          ^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

LiveScience’s Weekly Science Crossword: Unraveling the “Royal Snake” Theme

LiveScience’s daily “Science Crossword” has become a favorite pastime for science buffs who love to flex their mental muscles while brushing up on biology, physics, and everything in between. Each edition features a themed grid that intertwines a handful of seemingly unrelated clues, creating a satisfying “aha!” moment once the puzzle is solved. The latest installment, published under the headline “LiveScience crossword puzzle: 9‑a‑royal snake that wears a hood – 14 across,” continues the tradition of marrying science trivia with crossword ingenuity.

A Quick Overview of the Puzzle

The puzzle is a standard 15‑by‑15 grid that comes with a set of across and down clues. The twist this week is the playful reference to a “royal snake” that “wears a hood.” The clue appears as “9‑a‑royal snake that wears a hood” and points directly to the answer for 14‑across. The grid is peppered with other science‑centric answers—ranging from common terms like DNA and H2O to more specialized vocabulary such as pseudocleavage and gastropods.

Although LiveScience does not disclose every single clue in the summary article, the key takeaway is that the puzzle is thematically coherent. The “royal snake” reference is not a standalone joke but rather a gateway into a broader set of zoological and botanical clues that appear across the board. For example, the grid features a clue for 12‑down that reads “Common name for the fruit‑bearing plant of the Anacardium family,” leading to the answer cashew, while 17‑across asks for the “Term for a type of small, parasitic flatworm,” answered by cestode. The juxtaposition of these terms showcases how the puzzle designer—who’s typically a science writer or editor at LiveScience—knows how to embed deep science knowledge into a playful format.

Solving the “Royal Snake”

The “royal snake” clue is, of course, a reference to the king cobra, one of the most iconic and dangerous venomous snakes in the world. The answer that fits the grid’s length for 14‑across is simply COBRA (five letters). The “royal” descriptor is a nod to the common name king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah), which is not only the world’s longest venomous snake but also the national emblem of several South‑Asian countries, including Sri Lanka and Cambodia. According to LiveScience’s own article on the king cobra’s biology, the species can grow up to 18 feet in length and has a distinct hood that expands when it feels threatened, giving the snake a majestic, almost regal appearance—hence the “royal” moniker.

For readers curious to dive deeper into the biology of this reptile, LiveScience hosts a separate feature on king cobras at https://www.livescience.com/king-cobra, which delves into their hunting habits, venom composition, and conservation status. The crossword puzzle’s clue thus serves a dual purpose: it’s both a puzzle element and a gentle nudge toward learning more about a fascinating creature.

Other Notable Clues and Answers

While the king cobra is the puzzle’s headline feature, several other clues provide an engaging scientific workout:

• 1‑Across: EEL – a simple reference to an elongated, limbless fish that inhabits both salt and fresh water.
• 3‑Down: ASTEROID – a reminder of the countless rocky bodies that orbit the Sun.
• 9‑Across: DNA – the blueprint of life, a short, six‑letter answer that opens up the rest of the grid with a helpful cross‑point.
• 13‑Down: LEOPARD – an animal clue that encourages players to think about patterns and camouflage.

In addition, the crossword includes a couple of “hidden” references that hint at the theme. For instance, 15‑Down asks for the “Term for a group of lions,” which yields pride, a word that echoes the regal nature of the puzzle’s central motif.

How to Approach This Puzzle

LiveScience’s crosswords are designed to be approachable for readers who are comfortable with common scientific terminology but may not be crossword veterans. Here are a few tactics that help break down this particular puzzle:

1. Start with the longest answers. 14‑across, being the central theme, is 5 letters long. Once that’s placed, you can use the intersecting letters to narrow down the other answers.

2. Look for familiar prefixes and suffixes. Science vocabulary often contains Latin or Greek roots. For example, “cestode” ends in -ode, a common suffix for worms in the class Cestoda.

3. Cross‑check with the grid’s shape. The crossword’s 15‑by‑15 grid allows for symmetrical placement of black squares. This symmetry can help you anticipate where certain answer types (short vs. long) are likely to go.

4. Use the LiveScience articles for context. If a clue feels too obscure, consult LiveScience’s extensive science database. The king cobra article, for instance, offers useful background that can help you recall the snake’s scientific name and its cultural significance.

Why This Puzzle Matters

Beyond the immediate enjoyment of solving a puzzle, LiveScience’s crosswords serve an educational purpose. They present an interactive way to recall scientific facts—much like a quiz—but in a format that rewards pattern recognition and lateral thinking. The “royal snake” theme is a clever way to tie together anatomy, taxonomy, and cultural symbolism. Each time a reader completes the grid, they’ve reinforced their knowledge of a wide array of topics, from venomous reptiles to plant families.

Moreover, LiveScience often incorporates “hidden” facts in the solutions. For example, the answer to 18‑down—GALAXY—is a reminder that the cosmos is an endless laboratory where science unfolds daily. When the puzzle’s solution guide is released, it frequently includes a brief explanation of each answer, encouraging a deeper dive into the underlying science.

Final Thoughts

LiveScience’s “9‑a‑royal snake that wears a hood – 14 across” crossword is a delightful blend of trivia and challenge. By centering the puzzle around the iconic king cobra, the designers tap into a creature that is both scientifically interesting and widely recognizable, making the puzzle accessible to a broad audience. Whether you’re a seasoned crossword enthusiast or a science hobbyist looking for a fun way to test your knowledge, this weekly puzzle is well worth your time. Be sure to visit LiveScience’s puzzle page, solve the grid, and then check out the king cobra article for a deeper understanding of the “royal snake” that’s roiled the grid’s answer—because in science, curiosity is the best puzzle solver.