Gerbil a gent's mistaken for something much fiercer (6,5)

I believe the answer is:

bengal tiger

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'something much fiercer' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'gerbil a gent's mistaken' is the wordplay.
'mistaken' indicates anagramming the letters.
'gerbil'+'a'+'gent'='gerbilagent'
'gerbilagent' anagrammed gives 'BENGAL TIGER'.

'for' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for bengal tiger that I've seen is " Striped animal from Asia".)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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