Quick Answer
Clue: “Furry mammal that eats crustaceans”
Answer: OTTER
Length: 5 letters
Clue number and direction: 4-Down
“The New York Times crossword clue ‘Furry mammal that eats crustaceans’ is answered with OTTER.”
Why “OTTER” Is the Right NYT Answer
Helper sites for the February 4, 2026 NYT Mini list OTTER as the 5-letter answer to this exact clue. Biologically, otters are carnivorous mammals whose diet commonly includes crabs, crayfish, and other crustaceans, which matches the wording perfectly.
The grid slot for 4-Down takes five letters, and OTTER fits as O T T E R, often emerging with patterns like O_TER or OTT_R once you have crossings. Other furry, water‑linked mammals (e.g., SEAL, MINK) either don’t fit the length or don’t match the clue as directly.
What “OTTER” Means in Plain English
An otter is a semi‑aquatic, furry mammal known for sleek bodies, playful behavior, and strong swimming ability. Different otter species live in rivers, lakes, and coastal waters around the world.
Their diet typically includes fish plus a heavy dose of crustaceans like crabs, crayfish, shrimp, and other aquatic invertebrates, which is exactly what the clue highlights. That direct ecological match is why OTTER is such a natural crossword answer here.
Crossword-Specific Help for 4-Down
To lock in 4-Down, use:
Definition: furry mammal + eats crustaceans → points strongly to OTTER.
Length: 5 letters → O‑T‑T‑E‑R fits the slot.
As you fill the grid, you might see:
O T T _ R
_ T T E R
Either pattern makes OTTER the only sensible option. OTTER is a frequent NYT fill word, often appearing with clues like “Playful marine mammal,” “River swimmer,” or “Shellfish‑eating mammal.” Crossings from neighboring Downs and Acrosses in the Mini confirm each consonant, making it a very secure entry.
Solving Tips for Similar NYT Animal-Diet Clues
When a clue combines animal type + what it eats, match all three: species, food, and letter count. Examples:
“Shellfish‑eating mammal” (5) → OTTER.
“Insect‑eating mammal” (7) → ANTEATER.
Crustacean‑focused mammals in crosswords are usually OTTER, especially in short, weekday Minis. If your pattern looks like O_TER with an aquatic context, OTTER should be your first guess.
Also note that constructors love animal‑diet clues for variety: “acorn eater,” “eel eater,” “seal eater,” etc. Once you see the food in the clue, quickly scan your mental list of animals and then filter by letter count.
