Crossword Genius

Animal burying first of presents in earth (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

terrapin

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'animal' is the definition.
The answer is an example.

'burying first of presents in earth' is the wordplay.
'burying' is an insertion indicator.
'first of presents' becomes 'p' (tst letter of 'presents').
'in earth' becomes 'terrain' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'p' going within 'terrain' is 'TERRAPIN'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for terrapin that I've seen before include "edible, freshwater reptile" , "Small species of turtle" , "Hardback" , "Little turtle" , "A reptile; a printer (anag.)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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