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Vegetarian, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

squirrel

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

'vegetarian' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't see how they can define each other.

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for squirrel that I've seen before include "Magpie" , "Tree-climbing rodent with bushy tail, red or grey" , "Nut-gathering rodent" , "Tree-climbing rodent which hoards nuts" , "Grey or (rarely) red woodland creature" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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