But this creature can also multiply! (5)
I believe the answer is:
adder
'but this creature' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both animals as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?
'also multiply' is the wordplay.
'also' becomes 'add' (I've seen this before).
'multiply' becomes 'er' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'add'+'er'='ADDER'
'can' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for adder that I've seen before include "Britain's only venomous snake" , "Mathematical reptile" , "danger in the countryside" , "Totting snake" , "venomous creature" .)