Crossword Genius

Animals having a search inside underground tunnels (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

catacombs

'underground tunnels' is the definition.

'animals having a search' is the wordplay.
'animals' becomes 'cats' (I've seen this before).
'having' is an insertion indicator.
'search' becomes 'comb' (combing is a kind of searching).
'a'+'comb'='acomb'
'cats' placed around 'acomb' is 'CATACOMBS'.

'inside' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for catacombs that I've seen before include "burial place" , "Underground burial chambers" , "Underground cemeteries constructed by the ancient Romans" , "Vaults" , "Underground burial places" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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