Proverb close to these animals (7)
I believe the answer is:
epigram
'proverb' is the definition.
(thesaurus)
I can't explain the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for epigram that I've seen before include "Witty or sarcastic saying" , "Form of wit" , "Short, memorable saying" , "Old chestnut" , "Snappy piece of wit" .)