A pincer is the part of an arthropod that enables it to carry loads, to defend against other creatures, or to attack prey. In insects, the pincers are usually part of the creature’s mandible, and often venom or acid can be injected through the pincer into an enemy during a pincer strike.

Some arthropods such as crabs, lobsters and scorpions possess pincers in the form of claws at the ends of their front limbs, to assist in feeding, defence, or even courtship.