Animal squashed pea (3)

I believe the answer is:

ape

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'animal' is the definition.
(I know that ape is a type of mammal)

'squashed pea' is the wordplay.
'pea' anagrams to 'APE'.
However, I'm not clear how the anagram is indicated.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for ape that I've seen before include "Imitate, clumsy person (colloq.)" , "Wild animal" , "Simulate" , "Idiot" , "Take off" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.

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