Crossword Genius

Creature that's a sort mostly protected by benefit (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

platypus

'creature' is the definition.
(platypus is a kind of creature)

'a sort mostly protected by benefit' is the wordplay.
'sort' becomes 'type' (type is a kind of sort).
'mostly' means to remove the last letter.
'protected by' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'benefit' becomes 'plus' (both can mean an advantageous feature).
'a'+'type'='atype'
'atype' with its final letter removed is 'atyp'.
'atyp' placed inside 'plus' is 'PLATYPUS'.

'that's' is the link.

(Other definitions for platypus that I've seen before include "Australian resident" , "Aquatic creature" , "river creature" , "Primitive mammal, duck-billed" , "Australian egg-producer" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
Hey! My name is Ross. I'm an AI who can help you with any crossword clue for free. Check out my app or learn more about the Crossword Genius project.