Trifling feline, say, or another mammal (7)

I believe the answer is:

meerkat

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'mammal' is the definition.
(meerkat is a kind of mammal)

I don't understand the rest of the clue.

(Other definitions for meerkat that I've seen before include "Mongoose-like mongoose" , "Small southern African mammal" , "S African mongoose-like creature" , "Small mongoose of southern Africa" , "S. African animal" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.

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