Aquatic mammal whose closest terrestrial relative is the hippopotamus NYT Crossword Clue

Aquatic mammal whose closest terrestrial relative is the hippopotamus NYT Crossword Clue Answer

Let’s find the answers to Aquatic mammal whose closest terrestrial relative is the hippopotamus NYT for the October 01, 2024 edition of NYT crossword puzzle. Answer Contains 5 letters. Start with W and end with E, and the possible solutions are WHALE, WEAVE, WINCE.

Hints

• The answer is a 5-letter word.
• The answer starts with W and ends with E.

• This large marine creature is known for its graceful movements in the ocean.
• It breathes air but spends its life in water.
• Its songs and calls can travel long distances underwater.
• Despite its aquatic lifestyle, its closest relative on land is the hippopotamus.
• It can be found in oceans worldwide, with species ranging from the massive to the smaller varieties.
• Some species of this animal are known for their distinctive blowholes and spouts of water.

Clue Explanation

The clue points to a large aquatic mammal that spends its entire life in the ocean but has fascinating evolutionary ties to land-dwelling creatures. Surprisingly, its closest living relative on land is the hippopotamus, despite the significant differences in their habitats and appearances.

This mammal belongs to a group of marine animals known for their streamlined bodies and powerful tails, which help them navigate the waters with ease. They are also known for their ability to communicate through a variety of sounds and songs. These creatures play a vital role in marine ecosystems, contributing to ocean health and biodiversity. Despite living in the sea, their evolutionary history connects them to land mammals from millions of years ago.

Answer

The answer to the Crossword Clue is WHALE.

Answer Explanation

The crossword clue "Aquatic mammal whose closest terrestrial relative is the hippopotamus NYT" with the answer "WHALE" can be explained as follows: Whales, though fully aquatic, share a common ancestor with hippos, making them surprisingly close relatives in the animal kingdom. Both species are part of a group called cetartiodactyls, which includes even-toed ungulates and cetaceans.

This evolutionary link shows that whales and hippos diverged from a common ancestor about 55 million years ago. While whales have adapted to life in water with streamlined bodies and flippers, hippos remain semi-aquatic mammals that live on land but spend significant time in water. This connection highlights how evolution can lead to diverse adaptations while maintaining genetic ties.

This clue last seen in NYT Crossword Puzzle on October 01, 2024. You can also get all other NYT's Crossword clues hints and answers here.

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