Two-tone apex predator

Latest answer — August 12, 2026

13 Across

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Clue decoded

An ORCA is a killer whale, a black-and-white, or two-tone, apex predator of the oceans.

Clue type:
Definition
A black-and-white orca surfacing in the ocean

LA Times Crossword

This clue's Wednesday, August 12, 2026 appearance

Tap a square to reveal a letter.

Or reveal one clue at a time with the Hint and Answer buttons below.

Across

  1. 1Succeed in a class
  2. 5With 47-Down, tropical shade providers
  3. 9Content warning letters
  4. 13Two-tone apex predator
  5. 14Inventor's jumping-off point
  6. 15Underwater detector
  7. 16"I like it!"
  8. 18Location
  9. 19Out like a light
  10. 20Vintner's harvest
  11. 21Top stripe of a pride flag
  12. 22Lousy grade
  13. 24"Gosh!"
  14. 25Channel with music videos and "Reba" reruns
  15. 26Bucket list item, perhaps
  16. 29Statistical average
  17. 31Jokes
  18. 32Cunning plan
  19. 33"A Change Is __ Come"
  20. 34Victor Wembanyama's org.
  21. 35Features of 4c hair
  22. 36A single time
  23. 37Plant anchor
  24. 38CPR pros
  25. 39Not rigid
  26. 42Seasonal vaccine target
  27. 43Some undergrad degs.
  28. 44Fleeting snooze
  29. 45Pvt. trainer
  30. 48Chicken __ bleu
  31. 50Throw trash away, but not in a trash can
  32. 52An additional time
  33. 53Distance shot in basketball, or what 16-, 26-, and 39-Across are altogether?
  34. 56Sport with scrums
  35. 57Component of steel
  36. 58Lack of difficulty
  37. 59Simple tops
  38. 60Domestic four-leggers
  39. 61"Their __ Were Watching God"

Down

  1. 1Big name in seltzer water
  2. 2Came up
  3. 3Give a talking-to
  4. 4"For goodness' __!"
  5. 5Animal enclosure with a namesake cipher
  6. 6"And now, without further __ ... "
  7. 7Sign before Virgo
  8. 8Ticked off
  9. 9Mardi Gras city, familiarly
  10. 10Signals called by a quarterback before each play
  11. 11Protections against respiratory illnesses
  12. 12Competes on a mat
  13. 15Shopping jag
  14. 17Arizona city near the Seven Sacred Pools
  15. 20Precious stones
  16. 23Creamy Christmas concoctions
  17. 24Huge unit of mass
  18. 26Pool divisions
  19. 27Like a dirty word
  20. 28Dirty
  21. 29Actor's audition selection
  22. 30Spur on
  23. 33Transport on the way to sink a putt
  24. 35"You hang on to that"
  25. 37"Sinners" director Coogler
  26. 40Dark wood
  27. 41Makeover sites
  28. 45Wander off
  29. 46V-formation flyers
  30. 47See 5-Across
  31. 49"I call it!"
  32. 51Old-school "you"
  33. 53Guff
  34. 54Metallic resource
  35. 55Duped

Crossword clues, hints, and answers

Across

  1. 1. Succeed in a class — Answer: PASS. Hint: Earn a high enough grade to move on to the next level 📚
  2. 5. With 47-Down, tropical shade providers — Answer: PALM. Hint: Think of the leafy beach trees that make a tropical getaway feel delightfully shady 🌴
  3. 9. Content warning letters — Answer: NSFW. Hint: These initials flag material that may be unsuitable for viewing at work or around kids. ⚠️
  4. 13. Two-tone apex predator — Answer: ORCA. Hint: Think of the black-and-white ocean hunter often called a killer whale. 🐋
  5. 14. Inventor's jumping-off point — Answer: IDEA. Hint: It’s the first creative spark from which an invention can grow. 💡
  6. 15. Underwater detector — Answer: SONAR. Hint: It uses sound waves to locate objects beneath the surface. 🌊
  7. 16. "I like it!" — Answer: LOOKSGOOD. Hint: A cheerful way to show approval when something pleases you 👍
  8. 18. Location — Answer: PLACE. Hint: Think of a spot, setting, or point on a map. 📍
  9. 19. Out like a light — Answer: ASLEEP. Hint: This describes someone who has drifted into dreamland. 😴
  10. 20. Vintner's harvest — Answer: GRAPES. Hint: What a winemaker gathers in the vineyard before turning it into wine? 🍇
  11. 21. Top stripe of a pride flag — Answer: RED. Hint: Think of the warm color that appears first on the classic rainbow-striped flag. 🌈
  12. 22. Lousy grade — Answer: DEE. Hint: Think of the letter-name that sounds like a poor mark on a report card. 📝
  13. 24. "Gosh!" — Answer: GEE. Hint: A brief exclamation of surprise or wonder 😮
  14. 25. Channel with music videos and "Reba" reruns — Answer: CMT. Hint: Think of the TV network where country tunes and sitcom reruns share the spotlight 📺
  15. 26. Bucket list item, perhaps — Answer: LONGTIMEGOAL. Hint: A dream you’ve been saving for years might earn a spot here. 🎯
  16. 29. Statistical average — Answer: MEAN. Hint: In math, find this by adding all the values and dividing by how many there are 📊
  17. 31. Jokes — Answer: GAGS. Hint: They’re short bits of humor meant to make people laugh. 😂
  18. 32. Cunning plan — Answer: RUSE. Hint: A sneaky scheme designed to fool someone might fit the bill. 🕵️
  19. 33. "A Change Is __ Come" — Answer: GONNA. Hint: This casual phrase completes Sam Cooke’s famous lyric about change arriving. 🎶
  20. 34. Victor Wembanyama's org. — Answer: NBA. Hint: This is the top professional basketball league where the towering rookie plays 🏀
  21. 35. Features of 4c hair — Answer: KINKS. Hint: Think of the natural twists and bends found in tightly coiled hair. 🌀
  22. 36. A single time — Answer: ONCE. Hint: It happened just one time, not twice. ☝️
  23. 37. Plant anchor — Answer: ROOT. Hint: It grips the soil and keeps a plant standing tall. 🌱
  24. 38. CPR pros — Answer: EMTS. Hint: These emergency responders are trained to revive someone in a crisis. 🚑
  25. 39. Not rigid — Answer: LOOSEYGOOSEY. Hint: Describes something relaxed, flexible, and free from strict control. 🪶
  26. 42. Seasonal vaccine target — Answer: FLU. Hint: A yearly shot helps protect against this common wintertime illness 💉
  27. 43. Some undergrad degs. — Answer: BAS. Hint: Think of the abbreviated academic credentials students may earn before graduate school 🎓
  28. 44. Fleeting snooze — Answer: NAP. Hint: A brief bit of sleep that disappears almost as soon as it begins 😴
  29. 45. Pvt. trainer — Answer: SGT. Hint: Think of the military rank that might train a private. 🪖
  30. 48. Chicken __ bleu — Answer: CORDON. Hint: Think of the French-style chicken dish wrapped around ham and cheese. 🍗
  31. 50. Throw trash away, but not in a trash can — Answer: LITTER. Hint: Think of the careless act of leaving rubbish scattered in public places. 🗑️
  32. 52. An additional time — Answer: AGAIN. Hint: It means doing something one more time 🔁
  33. 53. Distance shot in basketball, or what 16-, 26-, and 39-Across are altogether? — Answer: LOGOTHREE. Hint: Picture a basketball shot from beyond the arc, then ask what the three entries collectively represent. 🏀
  34. 56. Sport with scrums — Answer: RUGBY. Hint: Think of the team sport where players battle for possession in a tightly packed formation 🏉
  35. 57. Component of steel — Answer: IRON. Hint: Think of the elemental metal that combines with carbon to make steel. ⚙️
  36. 58. Lack of difficulty — Answer: EASE. Hint: Think of how smoothly something goes when nothing feels challenging 😊
  37. 59. Simple tops — Answer: TEES. Hint: Think of casual shirt styles that share their name with golf supports. 👕
  38. 60. Domestic four-leggers — Answer: PETS. Hint: Think of the beloved animal companions that share a home with people 🐾
  39. 61. "Their __ Were Watching God" — Answer: EYES. Hint: Zora Neale Hurston’s celebrated novel centers on the organs people use to see. 👀

Down

  1. 1. Big name in seltzer water — Answer: POLAR. Hint: Think of a bubbly water brand with a cool, wintry name. ❄️
  2. 2. Came up — Answer: AROSE. Hint: Think of what someone did when they rose from bed or a chair. 🌅
  3. 3. Give a talking-to — Answer: SCOLD. Hint: Offer someone a stern verbal reprimand. 🗣️
  4. 4. "For goodness' __!" — Answer: SAKE. Hint: A mild exclamation used to show surprise, frustration, or urgency 😅
  5. 5. Animal enclosure with a namesake cipher — Answer: PIGPEN. Hint: Think of a humble farmyard shelter that shares its name with a geometric cipher system. 🐷
  6. 6. "And now, without further __ ... " — Answer: ADO. Hint: This phrase signals that it’s time to stop delaying and get on with it. ⏩
  7. 7. Sign before Virgo — Answer: LEO. Hint: Look for the zodiac sign that comes immediately before Virgo. ✨
  8. 8. Ticked off — Answer: MAD. Hint: Feeling pretty angry or annoyed 😠
  9. 9. Mardi Gras city, familiarly — Answer: NOLA. Hint: Think of the lively Louisiana city famous for jazz, parades, and Mardi Gras beads. 🎭
  10. 10. Signals called by a quarterback before each play — Answer: SNAPCOUNT. Hint: The quarterback’s pre-play vocal cues tell the offense when to begin. 🏈
  11. 11. Protections against respiratory illnesses — Answer: FACEMASKS. Hint: These coverings over the nose and mouth help keep germs at bay. 😷
  12. 12. Competes on a mat — Answer: WRESTLES. Hint: Grapples with an opponent on a padded surface 🤼
  13. 15. Shopping jag — Answer: SPREE. Hint: A joyful bout of retail therapy might be described this way. 🛍️
  14. 17. Arizona city near the Seven Sacred Pools — Answer: SEDONA. Hint: This red-rock Arizona town is a gateway to the lush pools of Oak Creek Canyon 🏜️
  15. 20. Precious stones — Answer: GEMS. Hint: Sparkling treasures often set in rings or necklaces 💎
  16. 23. Creamy Christmas concoctions — Answer: EGGNOGS. Hint: Think of rich holiday drinks made with eggs, milk, and festive spices 🎄
  17. 24. Huge unit of mass — Answer: GIGATON. Hint: Think of a colossal measurement often used to describe the force of massive explosions. 💥
  18. 26. Pool divisions — Answer: LANES. Hint: Swimmers race in these marked sections of a pool 🏊
  19. 27. Like a dirty word — Answer: TABOO. Hint: Think of something considered socially forbidden or unfit for polite conversation 🚫
  20. 28. Dirty — Answer: GRIMY. Hint: Not clean, perhaps covered in mud or soot 🧼
  21. 29. Actor's audition selection — Answer: MONOLOGUE. Hint: An actor may prepare this solo speech to showcase their range at tryouts 🎭
  22. 30. Spur on — Answer: ENCOURAGE. Hint: Give someone the confidence and motivation to keep going. 💪
  23. 33. Transport on the way to sink a putt — Answer: GOLFCART. Hint: A small motorized ride that carries golfers and their clubs around the course. 🏌️
  24. 35. "You hang on to that" — Answer: KEEPIT. Hint: A friend might say this when urging you not to let something go. 🤲
  25. 37. "Sinners" director Coogler — Answer: RYAN. Hint: This filmmaker shares a first name with actor Reynolds. 🎬
  26. 40. Dark wood — Answer: EBONY. Hint: Think of the dense black hardwood traditionally used for piano keys. 🎹
  27. 41. Makeover sites — Answer: SALONS. Hint: Places where stylists give haircuts, color, and other beauty treatments. 💇‍♀️
  28. 45. Wander off — Answer: STRAY. Hint: Drift away from the path or group, perhaps without meaning to 🚶
  29. 46. V-formation flyers — Answer: GEESE. Hint: These honking birds often travel in a neat arrowhead formation. 🪿
  30. 47. See 5-Across — Answer: TREES. Hint: Check 5-Across for the clue that unlocks this entry. 🔎
  31. 49. "I call it!" — Answer: DIBS. Hint: A quick way to claim something before anyone else does! 🙋
  32. 51. Old-school "you" — Answer: THEE. Hint: A poetic, old-fashioned way to address someone directly 📜
  33. 53. Guff — Answer: LIP. Hint: This is cheeky backtalk or empty chatter. 😏
  34. 54. Metallic resource — Answer: ORE. Hint: A mine may yield this valuable material for smelting. ⛏️
  35. 55. Duped — Answer: GOT. Hint: Think of what a prankster may have done to a gullible friend. 😄

Recent LA Times Answers

The last 7 days of solutions

LA Times 11 August 2026LA Times 10 August 2026LA Times 9 August 2026LA Times 8 August 2026LA Times 7 August 2026LA Times 6 August 2026LA Times 5 August 2026

The answer to “Two-tone apex predator” in the LA Times crossword is ORCA — a 4-letter word. It most recently appeared in the LA Times crossword on August 12, 2026, a Wednesday puzzle, at 13-Across. Below you'll find why that fill fits, every other answer we've recorded for this clue, and links into the puzzle it came from.

“Two-tone apex predator” answer

ORCA (4 letters)

Reveal the solution one letter at a time with the tiles above if you'd rather nudge yourself toward it than see the whole word at once. Just want it outright? The answer is ORCA.

When else has “Two-tone apex predator” appeared?

LA Times reuses clues across dates, sometimes with a different answer depending on the grid. Here's where this exact clue has shown up, and what the answer was each time — handy when you're checking whether today's fill is the only one.

August 12, 2026 (most recent) → ORCA. We haven't indexed another appearance of this exact clue yet.

More clues from the LA Times Crossword on August 12, 2026

Stuck elsewhere in the grid? Here are some of the crossing and nearby clues from the same puzzle — tap any for its answer and explanation.

Want every clue in one place? The full LA Times answer list for August 12, 2026 is on that day's grid page, and today's live LA Times answers are always one tap from the today page.

About the LA Times Crossword

The Los Angeles Times crossword is a classic daily 15×15 (larger on Sunday) with a long syndication history and a conversational clue voice. This page covers a Wednesday puzzle. Straight-definition answers still do a lot of the heavy lifting in the grid, so locking one mid-length entry often opens two or three crossings at once.

Frequently asked questions

What is the answer to “Two-tone apex predator”?

The answer is ORCA, a 4-letter word. It most recently appeared in the LA Times crossword on August 12, 2026.

How many letters is the answer to “Two-tone apex predator”?

4 letters: ORCA.

When did this clue appear?

Most recently in the LA Times crossword on August 12, 2026 (a Wednesday puzzle), at 13-Across.

Can “Two-tone apex predator” have a different answer?

Yes — LA Times sometimes reuses a clue with a different solution to fit the grid. The answers we've recorded for each date it appeared are listed above when available.

Where can I find the rest of this day's LA Times answers?

The full grid for August 12, 2026 is on the LA Times answers page, with every clue and answer from that puzzle.

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