Quick Answer - Himalayan herbivores
The New York Times–style crossword clue “Himalayan herbivores” is answered with “YAKS”, a 4-letter entry at 1-Down.
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Clue: “Himalayan herbivores”
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Answer: “YAKS”
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Length: 4 letters
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Position: 1-Down
In the grid, it appears as YAKS, one letter per square going downward: Y–A–K–S.
Why “YAKS” Is the Right NYT Answer
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The clue refers to large, plant-eating mammals that live in the Himalayas; yaks are classic Himalayan pack animals and grazers, so “YAKS” fits perfectly.
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The plural form in the clue (“herbivores”) matches the plural entry “YAKS,” which is a standard NYT-style agreement between clue and answer.
The 4-letter length matches the slot for 1-Down, so it fits cleanly without extra letters or abbreviations.
What “YAKS” Means in Plain English
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“Yaks” are long-haired bovines native to the Himalayan region and nearby high plateaus, commonly used by people as pack animals and for milk, meat, and fiber.
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As herbivores, they mainly eat grasses and other vegetation, which is exactly what the clue is hinting at.
The clue is straightforward, using a simple zoological fact plus a geographic pointer to lead you to the answer.
How It Fits the Grid and Crossings
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Letter pattern for 1-Down: _ _ _ _. Once you get a crossing like Y at the top and maybe K in the third spot, YAKS becomes very likely.
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Crossings: Any across entries that give you Y–A–K–S where 1-Down runs will confirm the fill; if every crossing is a valid word, you can be confident “YAKS” is correct.
Because “YAKS” is common in crosswords, constructors often use it near the top of the grid for clean, easy letters.
Solving Tips for Similar NYT Clues
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Watch for region + animal type: Clues like “Himalayan herbivores,” “Andean pack animals,” or “Sahara dwellers” usually want a familiar species tied to that region.
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Use plural hints: When the clue is plural, think of the simple plural form—“YAKS” rather than “YAK,” matching the clue’s “herbivores.”
Geography-based animal clues are frequent early-week fare, so remembering standards like YAKS, LAMAS, and ELK can speed up your solve.
