Animal that can go into temporary paralysis when flipped on its back

Latest answer — August 11, 2026

29 Across

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Clue decoded

Some sharks can enter tonic immobility, a temporary paralysis when placed upside down. Thus a shark is the animal described by the unusual behavior.

Clue type:
Definition
A shark shown upside down during a scientific demonstration of tonic immobility

NYT Midi Crossword

This clue's Tuesday, August 11, 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. 1Grain grown in paddies
  2. 5Features of some non-straightened hair
  3. 10Large-screen movie format
  4. 11From Korea or Kuwait, say
  5. 12Iconic 1942 film co-starring Humphrey Bogart ... and 25-Across in Spanish
  6. 14Breakfast fare that can be folded or rolled
  7. 15Beer container with a tap
  8. 16Uno + dos
  9. 18Not safe, in baseball
  10. 21Haul, from the Yiddish
  11. 25Landmark in Washington, D.C. ... and 12-Across in English
  12. 27Moon-related
  13. 28Totally captivated
  14. 29Animal that can go into temporary paralysis when flipped on its back
  15. 30Musical thing a singer can "carry"

Down

  1. 1Puerto ___
  2. 2Muslim prayer leader
  3. 3"In ___ you missed it ..."
  4. 4Glorify
  5. 5Pasadena school that manages the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, informally
  6. 6Co-host of the 2026 World Cup
  7. 7Ice skating venue
  8. 8Shoestring
  9. 9Unexpected obstacle
  10. 13Go ___ (completely lose control)
  11. 17Far from tall
  12. 18Hooting birds
  13. 19"Nope"
  14. 20___ Weymouth, bassist for Talking Heads
  15. 22Hawaiian feast
  16. 23"Monday Night Football" channel
  17. 24Comedian Davidson
  18. 26La Brea ___ Pits

Crossword clues, hints, and answers

Across

  1. 1. Grain grown in paddies — Answer: RICE. Hint: This staple crop thrives in flooded fields and often stars in stir-fries. 🌾
  2. 5. Features of some non-straightened hair — Answer: CURLS. Hint: Think of the springy, looping shapes you might see in naturally wavy hair. 🌀
  3. 10. Large-screen movie format — Answer: IMAX. Hint: A towering cinema experience designed to make every frame feel larger than life 🎬
  4. 11. From Korea or Kuwait, say — Answer: ASIAN. Hint: Think of the continent that includes both Korea and Kuwait. 🌏
  5. 12. Iconic 1942 film co-starring Humphrey Bogart ... and 25-Across in Spanish — Answer: CASABLANCA. Hint: Think of the wartime romance set in a Moroccan city, famous for a memorable airport farewell. 🎬
  6. 14. Breakfast fare that can be folded or rolled — Answer: OMELET. Hint: Think of a fluffy egg dish often filled with cheese or vegetables and served folded over. 🍳
  7. 15. Beer container with a tap — Answer: KEG. Hint: This sturdy vessel lets you pour a cold brew straight from the source. 🍺
  8. 16. Uno + dos — Answer: TRES. Hint: In Spanish, count one and two, then name the next number 🇪🇸
  9. 18. Not safe, in baseball — Answer: OUT. Hint: A runner hears this call when the defense beats them to the base. ⚾
  10. 21. Haul, from the Yiddish — Answer: SCHLEP. Hint: Think of a Yiddish-flavored verb for lugging something along with effort. 🧳
  11. 25. Landmark in Washington, D.C. ... and 12-Across in English — Answer: WHITEHOUSE. Hint: Think of the famous Washington residence where the U.S. president lives. 🏛️
  12. 27. Moon-related — Answer: LUNAR. Hint: Think of the adjective describing anything connected to Earth’s natural satellite. 🌙
  13. 28. Totally captivated — Answer: RAPT. Hint: Completely absorbed, as you might be by a gripping story 📖
  14. 29. Animal that can go into temporary paralysis when flipped on its back — Answer: SHARK. Hint: This ocean predator may become still when turned belly-up, almost as if hypnotized. 🌊
  15. 30. Musical thing a singer can "carry" — Answer: TUNE. Hint: It’s the melody a singer keeps steady from note to note. 🎶

Down

  1. 1. Puerto ___ — Answer: RICO. Hint: This Caribbean destination is famous for its rich culture and beautiful beaches! 🇵🇷
  2. 2. Muslim prayer leader — Answer: IMAM. Hint: This person guides worshippers during communal prayers. 🕌
  3. 3. "In ___ you missed it ..." — Answer: CASE. Hint: This phrase points to the situation or circumstances surrounding something you overlooked. 🧩
  4. 4. Glorify — Answer: EXALT. Hint: Praise someone or something with especially enthusiastic admiration. 🙌
  5. 5. Pasadena school that manages the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, informally — Answer: CALTECH. Hint: Think of Pasadena’s famed science-and-engineering institute, known by a compact nickname and tied to NASA’s JPL. 🚀
  6. 6. Co-host of the 2026 World Cup — Answer: USA. Hint: Think of the North American country sharing hosting duties with Canada and Mexico. ⚽
  7. 7. Ice skating venue — Answer: RINK. Hint: It’s the chilly place where skaters glide in circles ⛸️
  8. 8. Shoestring — Answer: LACE. Hint: It’s what you thread through eyelets to keep a sneaker snug 👟
  9. 9. Unexpected obstacle — Answer: SNAG. Hint: Think of a small, surprise roadblock that slows your progress. 🧱
  10. 13. Go ___ (completely lose control) — Answer: BERSERK. Hint: This describes someone flying into an uncontrollable rage. 😡
  11. 17. Far from tall — Answer: SHORT. Hint: Think of the opposite of lofty or towering. 🪜
  12. 18. Hooting birds — Answer: OWLS. Hint: These nocturnal birds are known for their distinctive calls. 🦉
  13. 19. "Nope" — Answer: UHUH. Hint: This informal refusal is the opposite of an enthusiastic yes. 🙅
  14. 20. ___ Weymouth, bassist for Talking Heads — Answer: TINA. Hint: This Talking Heads bassist shares her first name with the singer of “What’s Love Got to Do with It.” 🎸
  15. 22. Hawaiian feast — Answer: LUAU. Hint: Think of a festive island gathering centered around food, music, and dancing. 🌺
  16. 23. "Monday Night Football" channel — Answer: ESPN. Hint: Think of the sports network where Monday night’s big game takes center stage 🏈
  17. 24. Comedian Davidson — Answer: PETE. Hint: Think of the Saturday Night Live alum who was once engaged to Ariana Grande. 😄
  18. 26. La Brea ___ Pits — Answer: TAR. Hint: Think of the sticky black substance that preserved Ice Age fossils at this famous Los Angeles site. 🦴

Recent NYT Midi Answers

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The answer to “Animal that can go into temporary paralysis when flipped on its back” in the New York Times Midi crossword is SHARK — a 5-letter word. It most recently appeared in the New York Times Midi crossword on August 11, 2026, a Tuesday puzzle, at 29-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.

“Animal that can go into temporary paralysis when flipped on its back” answer

SHARK (5 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 SHARK.

When else has “Animal that can go into temporary paralysis when flipped on its back” appeared?

New York Times Midi 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 11, 2026 (most recent) → SHARK. We haven't indexed another appearance of this exact clue yet.

More clues from the NYT Midi Crossword on August 11, 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 New York Times Midi answer list for August 11, 2026 is on that day's grid page, and today's live NYT Midi answers are always one tap from the today page.

About the NYT Midi Crossword

The New York Times Midi is the mid-size daily puzzle between the Mini and the full crossword — typically a 7×7 grid that still rewards quick pattern recognition. Because the Midi is compact, one stubborn clue can jam the whole solve, which is why a confirmed answer and a short explanation help most when you're stuck on a single square.

Frequently asked questions

What is the answer to “Animal that can go into temporary paralysis when flipped on its back”?

The answer is SHARK, a 5-letter word. It most recently appeared in the New York Times Midi crossword on August 11, 2026.

How many letters is the answer to “Animal that can go into temporary paralysis when flipped on its back”?

5 letters: SHARK.

When did this clue appear?

Most recently in the New York Times Midi crossword on August 11, 2026 (a Tuesday puzzle), at 29-Across.

Can “Animal that can go into temporary paralysis when flipped on its back” have a different answer?

Yes — New York Times Midi 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 NYT Midi answers?

The full grid for August 11, 2026 is on the NYT Midi answers page, with every clue and answer from that puzzle.

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