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NYT Strands Puzzle Highlights Exotic Pets Theme Today

10/7/2025

22 3 Full Breakdown

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NYT Strands Puzzle

The NYT Strands puzzle for October 7, 2025 features the "Unusual Companions" theme on exotic pets.
Today's spangram is "EXOTIC PET," with answers CHINCHILLA, SKUNK, GECKO, AXOLOTL, PARROT, PYTHON.
Previous day's Strands puzzle, "In for the Evening," featured spangram "LOUNGEWEAR" with PAJAMAS and NIGHTGOWNS.
Strands puzzles release daily at midnight; hints and answers for NYT games are on pages.

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Strands Sidekick Feedback

Strands Sidekick helps players tackle daily puzzles and invites feedback.
Hints and comments may spoil puzzles.
Puzzles release at midnight in each time zone.
Two Sidekicks publish daily based on Eastern Standard Time.
Today’s puzzle is rated easy by paid testers, and the New York Times Games team shares tips on Instagram.

History

Historical Context

The New York Times launched its first crossword puzzle on February 15, 1942, after initially dismissing them as trivial. The decision was influenced by World War II, as publisher Arthur Hays Sulzberger recognized the need for reader distraction. By 2021, the NYT Games team had expanded its offerings, engaging millions and solidifying the crossword's status as a cultural staple in American entertainment.

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NYT Strands Puzzle

The NYT Strands puzzle for October 7, 2025 features the "Unusual Companions" theme on exotic pets.
Today's spangram is "EXOTIC PET," with answers CHINCHILLA, SKUNK, GECKO, AXOLOTL, PARROT, PYTHON.
Previous day's Strands puzzle, "In for the Evening," featured spangram "LOUNGEWEAR" with PAJAMAS and NIGHTGOWNS.
Strands puzzles release daily at midnight; hints and answers for NYT games are on pages.

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