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Christopher's taking in a number of small pets

Ross

I believe the answer is:

kittens

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

'small pets' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both animals as well as being plural nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'christopher's taking in a number' is the wordplay.
'christopher's' becomes 'Kit's' (short for Christopher).
'taking in' is an insertion indicator.
'a number' becomes 'ten' (ten is a number).
'kits' placed around 'ten' is 'KITTENS'.

'of' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for kittens that I've seen before include "Feline young" , "Feline youngsters" , "Young rabbits" , "Have such pets" , "Young felines" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Independent.
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