Strands September 5, 2026: Answers, Spangram & Hints (#1103)
Recap
This puzzle involved finding informal names for various animals, with a spangram that referred to animals in a casual context, requiring attention to common nicknames and terms.
The official theme clue
Informally known as
Printed above the board in the app itself that day — the line that decided which of the many words hiding in the grid actually counted.
Strands hints, one rung at a time
Six rungs, softest first. The recap above already named the answers, so this ladder is here for anyone replaying the board fresh rather than as a spoiler shield.
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Hint 1: What the theme was getting at
A reading of the theme. No answers.
The theme involves common names for various animals, often used in informal contexts.
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Hint 2: The category, said plainly
The same idea, unhedged.
Category of animal nicknames
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Hint 3: Board facts: how many words, how long
Counted off the grid.
The board was 6 letters wide and 8 tall. 8 theme answers were hidden in it, plus the spangram, which ran side to side and was 7 letters long.
- Theme word 1
- 4 letters
- Theme word 2
- 6 letters
- Theme word 3
- 5 letters
- Theme word 4
- 4 letters
- Theme word 5
- 5 letters
- Theme word 6
- 5 letters
- Theme word 7
- 5 letters
- Theme word 8
- 7 letters
- Spangram
- 7 letters, side to side
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Hint 4: One clue per word, easiest first
Crossword-style.
Theme word 1 (4 letters)
Small dog breed with a short face
Theme word 2 (6 letters)
Small, colorful parrot often kept as a pet
Theme word 3 (5 letters)
Large primate native to Africa
Theme word 4 (4 letters)
Large reptile with a long snout
Theme word 5 (5 letters)
Large reptile found in swamps and lakes
Theme word 6 (5 letters)
Large, semi-aquatic mammal with a rounded body
Theme word 7 (5 letters)
Large, armored mammal with a distinctive horn
Theme word 8 (7 letters)
Venomous snake known for its distinctive sound
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Hint 5: First two letters of every theme word
Enough to start tracing.
- Theme word 1
- PE… (4 letters)
- Theme word 2
- BU… (6 letters)
- Theme word 3
- CH… (5 letters)
- Theme word 4
- CR… (4 letters)
- Theme word 5
- GA… (5 letters)
- Theme word 6
- HI… (5 letters)
- Theme word 7
- RH… (5 letters)
- Theme word 8
- RA… (7 letters)
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Hint 6: What the spangram meant
The long one that tied the board together.
Term used to refer to animals, especially in a casual or affectionate manner, encompassing a wide range of species
It touched both edges, running side to side across all 6 columns.
The starting letter board
The grid as printed, 6 across and 8 down. Read only — reveal an answer below and this board traces it.
Every Strands answer and the spangram
Every answer from that board, folded. Opening one traces its path above — the spangram in gold.
Theme word 1 · 6 letters
BUDGIE
The budgie is a popular pet bird, informally known as a parakeet, requiring a spacious cage.
Theme word 2 · 5 letters
CHIMP
The chimp is a highly intelligent primate, closely related to humans, known for its agility.
Theme word 3 · 4 letters
CROC
The croc is a large reptile with powerful jaws, often found in tropical regions, posing a threat.
Theme word 4 · 5 letters
GATOR
The gator is a large reptile found in freshwater environments, known for its broad snout and powerful tail.
Theme word 5 · 5 letters
HIPPO
The hippo is a large, semi-aquatic mammal with a rounded body, spending much time in water.
Theme word 6 · 4 letters
PEKE
The peke is a small dog breed with a short face, known for its friendly and outgoing personality.
Theme word 7 · 7 letters
RATTLER
The rattler is a venomous snake known for its distinctive sound, warning potential threats of danger.
Theme word 8 · 5 letters
RHINO
The rhino is a large, armored mammal with a distinctive horn, protected for its endangered status.
Spangram · 7 letters, side to side
CRITTER
The critter is a casual term for an animal, often used in affectionate or humorous contexts, describing behavior.
This puzzle by the numbers
- Puzzle
- (#1103) · Saturday, September 5, 2026
- Theme answers
- 8 plus the spangram
- Board
- 6 × 8 letters
- Answer lengths
- 4–7 letters
- Spangram
- 7 letters, side to side
- Difficulty
- medium for a weekday board
- Valid non-theme words
- 545 accepted for hints
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