Crossword Genius

Egg layer had nice waves (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

echidna

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

'egg layer' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both animals as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe you can see an association between them that I don't see?

'had nice waves' is the wordplay.
'waves' is an anagram indicator.
'had'+'nice'='hadnice'
'hadnice' anagrammed gives 'ECHIDNA'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for echidna that I've seen before include "Spiny Aus. mammal" , "Little animal" , "Prickly creature" , "Oz native" , "Spiny egg-laying Australian mammal" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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