Crossword Genius

Whelk slithered round large animals (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

elks

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

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

'whelk slithered' is the wordplay.
'ELKS' is hidden within the letters.
However, I am unsure how this is indicated.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for elks that I've seen before include "Large deer of Europe and N America" , "Large deer with flattened antlers" , "Moose(s)" , "Large deer of Northern Europe" , "Moose" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.
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