simians crossword clue – All Crossword Answers
Welcome! If you're tackling the clue "simians crossword clue" in your puzzle, you've come to the right place. Below, you'll find a comprehensive list of possible answers, organized by letter count, along with brief explanations to help you complete your crossword with ease.
Solutions for "simians crossword clue" by Letter Count
3 Letters
APE: A large, tailless primate, often used broadly to refer to monkeys or other primates in crosswords.
5 Letters
CHIMP: A common abbreviation for chimpanzee, one of the great apes known for its intelligence.
ORANG: Short for orangutan, a large arboreal ape native to Indonesia and Malaysia.
LEMUR: A primate native to Madagascar, often appearing in crosswords as a distinct type of primate.
6 Letters
MONKEY: A broad term for many primates, typically characterized by having tails, distinguishing them from apes.
BABOON: A large, terrestrial Old World monkey with a distinctive dog-like snout and powerful jaws.
GIBBON: A small, slender, long-armed ape native to the forests of Southeast Asia.
7 Letters
GORILLA: The largest living primate, native to the forests of central and eastern Africa.
MACAQUE: A medium-sized, Old World monkey found in various habitats across Asia and Africa.
More About "simians crossword clue"
The term "simians" refers to a suborder of primates that includes all monkeys and apes, encompassing a vast and diverse group of animals. In crossword puzzles, clues like "simians" often point to a specific species of monkey or ape, or a more general term for these creatures. The challenge lies in determining the exact animal the puzzle setter intends, given the limited number of letters.
From the agile gibbon to the massive gorilla, and from the playful chimpanzee to the distinctive baboon, the world of simians provides a rich source of vocabulary for crossword constructors. Recognizing common species names, or even broader categories like "ape" or "monkey," is key to unlocking these clues. Their varied habitats, behaviors, and classifications can all serve as subtle hints in the clue text.
Understanding the difference between apes (tailless primates like gorillas, chimpanzees, orangutans, and gibbons) and monkeys (primates that typically have tails, like baboons, macaques, and marmosets) can also be helpful when the clue is more specific. However, in crosswords, 'simians' is often a catch-all that can lead to any of these fascinating creatures.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Check Letter Count First: Always count the available spaces. Many simian names are short (e.g., APE, ORANG), while others are longer (e.g., GORILLA, CHIMPANZEE).
- Consider Specificity: If the clue mentions a habitat (e.g., "Madagascar primate"), think of a specific simian like LEMUR. If it mentions a characteristic (e.g., "Large ape"), consider GORILLA or ORANG.
- Look for Plurals: While "simians" is already plural, other animal clues might imply a plural answer by using phrases like "Jungle dwellers" or "Tree climbers."
- Cross-Reference: Use intersecting letters from solved clues to narrow down possibilities. An 'M' at the beginning of a 6-letter answer strongly suggests MONKEY if the clue is about primates.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly are simians?
Simians are a group of primates that includes monkeys and apes (including humans). They are characterized by having dry noses and downward-pointing nostrils, distinguishing them from prosimians like lemurs and lorises.
Are all monkeys considered simians?
Yes, all monkeys (both Old World and New World monkeys) are part of the simian infraorder, which is scientifically known as Simiiformes. This group also includes apes, making it a very broad classification.
How can I identify 'simian' related clues in crosswords?
Look for clues related to specific types of monkeys or apes (e.g., "Chimpanzee relative," "King Kong's kind"), general terms for primates, or even collective nouns for groups of these animals. Letter count is crucial as many simian names are short and common.