Many an animal needs little drink (4)
I believe the answer is:
dram
'little drink' is the definition.
'dram' can be an answer for 'drink' (small alcoholic drink). I'm not sure about the 'little' bit.
'many an animal' is the wordplay.
'many' becomes 'D' (Roman numeral for 500).
'an animal' becomes 'ram' (male sheep).
'd'+'ram'='DRAM'
'needs' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for dram that I've seen before include "Apothecary's weight, 60 grains" , "Measure of Scotch" , "Tot of whisky" , "shot" , "Small drink (Scots)" .)