Crossword Genius

Children about to pick up a small furry creature (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

stoat

'small furry creature' is the definition.
(type of furry animal)

'children about to pick up a' is the wordplay.
'children' becomes 'tots' (tot is a kind of child).
'about' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'to pick up' indicates putting letters inside.
'tots' written backwards gives 'stot'.
'stot' going around 'a' is 'STOAT'.

(Other definitions for stoat that I've seen before include "Eating rabbit, he" , "Member of the weasel family" , "Short-tail weasel" , "Ermine in summertime?" , "Provider of ermine" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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