Animal fed on growing grass (6) - Crossword Clue
Answer: GRAZER
Understanding the Crossword Clue: Animal Fed on Growing Grass
- GRAZER is the six-letter answer to this straightforward crossword clue. A grazer is any animal that feeds primarily on grass and other low-growing vegetation in pastures or grasslands.
- This feeding behavior is called grazing, and it's one of the most common dietary patterns in the animal kingdom.
Related Crossword Terms and Variations
- When solving similar animal-themed crossword puzzles, you might encounter related terms like BROWSER (an animal that feeds on leaves and twigs), FEEDER (more general), or specific grazing animals like CATTLE or BOVINE.
- However, GRAZER remains the most precise term for an animal that specifically consumes grass. This word appears frequently in crosswords because of its useful letter pattern and clear definition.
Quick Tips for Solving Animal Clues
- Look for feeding behavior keywords - Words like "fed on," "eats," "consumes," or "lives on" often signal that the answer describes a dietary classification rather than a specific animal species.
- Count your letters carefully - With six letters specified, eliminate answers that are too short (like COW) or too long (like HERBIVORE), even if they technically fit the definition.
- Consider the terminology - Crossword setters often use precise biological or zoological terms. GRAZER is more "crossword-friendly" than phrases like "grass-eating animal."
- Think about common crossword words - GRAZER appears regularly in puzzles because it has useful vowel placement (A and E) and common consonants (G, R, Z) that help with crossing answers.
- Watch for direct definitions - This clue style gives you a straightforward description. The answer simply names what the clue describes, without anagrams, homophones, or hidden words.
Animal fed on growing grass (6) - 7 Little Words - FAQs
Q: Could the answer be BOVINE instead of GRAZER?
A: While BOVINE (cattle) are indeed grazers, the word BOVINE specifically refers to the cattle family rather than describing the feeding behavior itself. GRAZER is the more accurate answer for a clue about "feeding on grass."
Q: What's the difference between a grazer and a browser?
A: Grazers feed primarily on grasses and low-growing plants, while browsers eat leaves, shoots, fruits, and twigs from trees and shrubs. Deer can be both, but cattle and sheep are primarily grazers.
Q: Are all grass-eating animals called grazers?
A: Yes, any animal whose primary diet consists of grass is technically a grazer. This includes large mammals like horses and bison, as well as smaller animals like rabbits and geese when they feed on grass.
Q: Why do crossword clues specify "growing grass"?
A: The word "growing" emphasizes that grazers eat fresh, living vegetation in pastures rather than dried grass (hay). It also helps distinguish grazing from other feeding behaviors and adds to the letter count of the clue.
Q: Could FEEDER work as an answer?
A: While FEEDER has six letters, it's too vague. A feeder could eat anything - seeds, insects, meat, or grass. GRAZER is the specific, precise term for grass-eating animals.
