Crossword Genius

Does it wallop its natural victim? (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

lamprey

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

'does it wallop its natural victim?' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'wallop its natural victim?' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'wallop' could be 'lam' (I've seen this in another clue) and 'lam' is located in the answer.
'victim?' could be 'prey' (prey is a kind of victim) and 'prey' is found in the answer.
This accounts for all the letters.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for lamprey that I've seen before include "sucker for stones" , "Eel-like bloodsucker" , "Swimmer" , "Eel-like vertebrate with a sucker mouth and horny teeth" , "sucker in the main" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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