Crossword Genius

Half a ditch protects long animal (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

hyena

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'animal' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

I don't understand the remainder of the clue.

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(Other definitions for hyena that I've seen before include "One laughs loud" , "Carnivorous mammal" , "Predatory dog-like animal, makes sound like laughing" , "Laughing carnivore" , "one to laugh" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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