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.