Quick Answer
Clue: “Primatologists’ subjects:”
Answer: APES
Answer length: 4 letters
Clue number and direction: 9-Across
The New York Times crossword clue “Primatologists’ subjects:” is answered with APES, filling the four squares of 9-Across.
Why APES Is the Right NYT Answer
- Primatology is the scientific study of primates, which includes monkeys and apes such as gorillas, chimpanzees, orangutans, and gibbons.
- Many crossword databases specifically list APES as the standard 4-letter answer for “Primatologists’ subjects” and closely related clues like “Primatology subjects” or “Subjects for Goodall and others.”
- Helper pages for the January 28, 2026 NYT Mini confirm APES as the 9-Across solution, matching both the science context and letter count.
What APES Means in Plain English
- Apes are tailless primates that include gorillas, chimpanzees, bonobos, orangutans, and gibbons.
- They are known for high intelligence, complex social behavior, and close genetic relatedness to humans, which is why they are a major focus of primatology.
- In everyday language and in crosswords, APES can also appear in non-science senses like “imitates” or “mimics,” but here the clue clearly points to the zoological meaning.
Crossword-Specific Help for APES
- In the grid, APES appears as A P E S, and with a few crossings you might first see patterns like A_ES or _PES, which quickly narrow down to APES with this clue.
- Crossword answer archives show APES repeatedly for clues such as “Primatologists’ subjects,” “Zoo attractions,” “Chimpanzees and gorillas,” and “Subjects of primatology.”
- Because APES is short, vowel-friendly, and extremely common, it’s one of the classic “science-y” entries every solver should recognize.
Solving Tips for Similar NYT Clues
- When you see references to primatologists, primatology, chimpanzees, gorillas, or Jane Goodall in a 4-letter slot, APES should be your top candidate.
- Watch for clue wording like “Primatology subjects,” “Subjects for Goodall and Fossey,” or “Tailless primates,” all of which very often resolve to APES.
If your crossings give A_ES or AP_S in a biology-themed clue, filling APES will usually unlock nearby answers quickly.
More NYT Mini Crossword Answers for January 28, 2026
| Clue | Answer | |
| 1A | Remove from a position of power | View Answer |
| 5A | Not cool | View Answer |
| 7A | “Fine, see if ___!” | View Answer |
| 8A | Kind of bored | View Answer |
| 9A | Primatologists’ subjects: | View Answer |
| 1D | Kind of board | View Answer |
| 2D | Prepare to use, as a pen | View Answer |
| 3D | Desirable place to sit on a hot day | View Answer |
| 4D | Pair on a bicycle | View Answer |
| 6D | __ XING (street sign) | View Answer |
