Issue #751 Tue 7 Oct
Strands hints — October 7, 2025
Small-scale domesticity takes a turn for the unconventional today. Keep a steady hand as you navigate the grid.
Theme 3 reveals
Today's theme
Where the lawnmower lives, where the mail piles up, where the kids hide.
Domestic animal husbandry and specialty biology
NON-TRADITIONAL HOUSEHOLD COMPANIONS
Spangram 4 nudges · 9 letters
The connector word
Single nine-letter compound noun
9 letters.
Starts with E, ends with T.
EXOTICPET
Group hint 1 reveal
Show all starting letters
Starting letters
- 1 A (7 letters)
- 2 C (10 letters)
- 3 G (5 letters)
- 4 P (6 letters)
- 5 P (6 letters)
- 6 S (5 letters)
Group hint 1 reveal
Show the first two letters of each
First two letters
- 1 AX (7 letters)
- 2 CH (10 letters)
- 3 GE (5 letters)
- 4 PA (6 letters)
- 5 PY (6 letters)
- 6 SK (5 letters)
Theme word 1 of 6 5 nudges · 7 letters
A theme word
A perpetually smiling, aquatic amphibian that retains its feathery external gills into adulthood.
7 letters.
Starts with A.
Starts with AX.
AXOLOTL
Theme word 2 of 6 5 nudges · 10 letters
A theme word
A mountain-dwelling rodent prized for having the softest fur in the animal kingdom.
10 letters.
Starts with C.
Starts with CH.
CHINCHILLA
Theme word 3 of 6 5 nudges · 5 letters
A theme word
A small, vocal lizard with specialized toe pads that allow it to scale smooth vertical surfaces.
5 letters.
Starts with G.
Starts with GE.
GECKO
Theme word 4 of 6 5 nudges · 6 letters
A theme word
A brilliantly colored bird known for its ability to mimic human speech and complex sounds.
6 letters.
Starts with P.
Starts with PA.
PARROT
Theme word 5 of 6 5 nudges · 6 letters
A theme word
A heavy-bodied, non-venomous constrictor often kept by hobbyists for its docile temperament.
6 letters.
Starts with P.
Starts with PY.
PYTHON
Theme word 6 of 6 5 nudges · 5 letters
A theme word
A nocturnal mammal famously equipped with a potent defensive spray for warding off threats.
5 letters.
Starts with S.
Starts with SK.
SKUNK