Ten-legged sea creature NYT crossword clue

This clue points toward a marine animal known for its distinctive number of legs and crustacean characteristics. “Ten-legged” narrows the options to a specific group of sea creatures, often found in oceans worldwide and commonly associated with seafood dishes. These creatures are part of the decapod order, a name that literally means “ten-footed.”

The correct answer is CRAB. Crabs are ten-legged sea creatures with a hard exoskeleton and a sideways walk. They have five pairs of legs, with the front pair often modified into claws. While other decapods like lobsters and shrimp also fit the “ten-legged” description, CRAB is the most straightforward and commonly used answer in crossword puzzles for this clue.