weasel cousin crossword – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Answercrossword.com! If you're tackling the clue "weasel cousin" in your crossword puzzle, you've come to the right place. We've compiled a comprehensive list of potential answers, complete with explanations, to help you complete your puzzle with ease.
Solutions for "weasel cousin crossword" by Letter Count
4 Letters
MINK: A semi-aquatic, carnivorous mammal closely related to weasels, often valued for its fur.
5 Letters
OTTER: An aquatic or semi-aquatic carnivorous mammal in the weasel family (Mustelidae), known for its playful nature and dexterity.
STOAT: A small, agile carnivorous mammal of the weasel family, also known as an ermine, especially when in its white winter coat.
6 Letters
FERRET: A domesticated form of the European polecat, often kept as a pet or used for hunting purposes.
BADGER: A stout-bodied, nocturnal mammal of the weasel family, characterized by its distinctive facial markings and powerful digging claws.
MARTEN: An arboreal weasel-like animal with a long, slender body, bushy tail, and yellowish-brown fur, found in northern forests.
More About "weasel cousin crossword"
The clue "weasel cousin" points to animals within the Mustelidae family, which is a diverse group of carnivorous mammals. This family includes many well-known species, all sharing certain characteristics like long bodies, short legs, and often a strong, musky scent. Crossword setters love to use this family as a source of clues because it offers a wide range of answers differing in length and popularity.
Understanding the common members of the Mustelidae family can significantly improve your crossword-solving skills. Beyond the answers provided, other, less common, weasel cousins might occasionally appear, such as polecats, wolverines, or even sea otters, depending on the puzzle's difficulty and specific theme.
Remember that the specific length requested by the puzzle is your primary filter. Once you have the length, you can easily match it with the common family members listed above to find your solution.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Consider Commonality: When thinking of animal families, start with the most common or well-known members first. For "weasel cousin," animals like FERRET, MINK, and OTTER are highly probable answers.
- Check Letter Count First: Always count the available spaces in your crossword grid before trying to fit in an answer. This immediately narrows down your options dramatically.
- Think of Habits/Characteristics: Clues often hint at an animal's behavior (e.g., "aquatic weasel cousin" for OTTER or MINK), appearance (e.g., "furry weasel cousin"), or common associations.
- Look for Synonyms or Alternate Names: Some animals, like the STOAT (also known as an ERMINE), have multiple names that crossword constructors love to use. Be aware of these aliases.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Mustelidae family?
The Mustelidae family is a diverse group of carnivorous mammals that includes weasels, ferrets, minks, otters, badgers, and martens. They are characterized by their long, slender bodies and short legs, with a global distribution.
How can identifying the animal family help in crosswords?
Understanding animal families like Mustelidae (weasel family) can provide a powerful clue by narrowing down possible answers. If you know the family, you can list members and check for length and commonality in puzzles, often leading directly to the solution.
Are stoats and ermines the same animal?
Yes, a stoat (Mustela erminea) is also known as an ermine, particularly when it has its white winter coat. This dual nomenclature is a common trick in crosswords, so knowing both terms is a great advantage.