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The answer to this puzzle is a list of ten thematically related words or proper names or phrases. Each of these is clued cryptically, and the theme is to be determined. Since the definition part of a cryptic clue would give away the theme, these cryptic clues use a family member (e.g., mom, sister) to stand in for the definition part of the clue. So for example, if the theme of the puzzle were chemical elements, "Sister picking at nit" would clue "tin". NOTE: Unlike many previous puzzles in this genre, clues are NOT sorted alphabetically; however, lengths of each answer are given with the clues. I hope you enjoy!

  1. Dad's shock troop to stand on Ontario borders (7)
  2. Desperado kidnaps community leader, extorting boundless loot from Auntie (9)
  3. Nephew is hacking US-China net (10)
  4. Grandpa called, "Turn around, dance, turn around, ..." (7)
  5. Grandma called, "...turn and dance" (7)
  6. Niece obtaining a source of caffeine (5)
  7. Brother's ill-begotten fortune finally confiscated (7)
  8. Son's baseball team: doubles, but no walk (6)
  9. Daughter's gerbil bypasses hideaway (5)
  10. Sister to get some sun all over, including bum-bum (6)
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2 Answers 2

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These are all

Marsupials

Answers.

1. POTOROO = (TROOP)* + O(ntari)O.
2. BANDICOOT = BANDIT containing C and l(OO)t.
3. ANTECHINUS = (US-CHINA NET)*
4. WALLABY = BALL (dance) backwards with WAY (turn) around it.
5. DUNNART = (TURN AND)*
6. KOALA = KOLA obtaining A
7. BETTONG = (BEGOTTEN)* - (fortun)E.
8. CUSCUS = CUBS x 2 and remove the BB (indicating "Base on balls" or "walk").
9. BILBY = ger(BIL BY)passes.
10. NUMBAT = TAN< including (BUM)*.

Number 8 was solved by LeppyR64 before me.

As for the title (thanks to El-Guest in the comments)

A distinctive characteristic of marsupials is that they carry their young in a pouch or pocket.

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  • $\begingroup$ Almost there! #4 is not correct. And on #8, rot13(OO vf "Onfr ba Onyyf", gur fgnaqneq nooerivngvba sbe n jnyx va onfronyy fpbevat) $\endgroup$
    – Jeremy Dover
    Commented Jun 19, 2020 at 16:11
  • $\begingroup$ @JeremyDover Thanks, I think I've got #4 now. $\endgroup$
    – hexomino
    Commented Jun 19, 2020 at 17:10
  • $\begingroup$ Right answer, but I had the word play as rot13(LNJ ("ghea") nebhaq ONYY ("qnapr") gb trg LONYYNJ, "ghea nebhaq" gb trg JNYYNOL) Does that make sense to you as a solver? $\endgroup$
    – Jeremy Dover
    Commented Jun 19, 2020 at 18:17
  • $\begingroup$ And of course you’ll note that a defining feature of the theme that you’ve found is that they have pockets (or pouches)... $\endgroup$
    – El-Guest
    Commented Jun 19, 2020 at 18:49
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    $\begingroup$ Oh, yes I forgot the title! Thanks @El-Guest $\endgroup$
    – hexomino
    Commented Jun 19, 2020 at 19:16
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Partial:

  1. Son's baseball team: doubles, but no walk (6)

Baseball team = CUBS
walk = BB
CUBSCUBS - BB = CUSCUS

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  • $\begingroup$ Ah yeah I just got it, will give credit on mine. $\endgroup$
    – hexomino
    Commented Jun 19, 2020 at 15:51
  • $\begingroup$ Great work on the rest @hexomino :) $\endgroup$
    – LeppyR64
    Commented Jun 19, 2020 at 16:44

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