31 Across

NYT Daily • September 5, 2025

Small semiaquatic mammal with 22 tentacles on its snout

Answer:

STAR-NOSED MOLE

Hint:

This burrowing insectivore from North America uses its unique, star-shaped nose to quickly identify and snap up prey in wet, marshy habitats. Its unusual appendages are actually highly sensitive touch organs called Eimer’s organs.

Explanation:

This clue describes the star-nosed mole, a real but unusual mammal known for its distinctive snout covered in 22 fleshy, tentacle-like appendages. The "semiaquatic" hint points to its habitat near wetlands, while the tentacles help it quickly identify food underwater. The name itself is straightforward—no wordplay—just a literal description of its star-shaped nose.

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