Animal in later form (5)
I believe the answer is:
ratel
'animal' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'later form' is the wordplay.
'form' is an anagram indicator (another form of the letters).
'later' with letters rearranged gives 'RATEL'.
'in' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for ratel that I've seen before include "Musteline mammal" , "Honey badger" , "Animal of Africa and India - alert (anag)" , "wild animal" , "one wanting honey" .)