Crossword Genius

Snake -- or rat? (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

reptile

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

This clue might be a double definition.

'snake' is the first definition.
(thesaurus)

'rat?' is the second definition.
The definition and answer can be both animals as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I don't see?

'or' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for reptile that I've seen before include "Somebody grovelling" , "Lizard, for example" , "eg Crocodile" , "Turtle or snake say" , "Despicable sort" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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