Elephant seals, somewhat tiny creatures? (4)

I believe the answer is:

ants

'tiny creatures?' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'elephant seals somewhat' is the wordplay.
'somewhat' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue.
'ANTS' can be found hidden inside 'elephant seals'.

(Other definitions for ants that I've seen before include "workers found returning" , "Termites" , "Six-foot insects" , "Soldiers" , "Tiny insects that live in colonies" .)

I've seen this clue in The Everyman puzzle in The Observer.

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