Crossword Genius

Encounters rebel king's army chiefs inside – they're watchful creatures (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

meerkats

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

'encounters rebel king's army chiefs inside' is the wordplay.
'encounters' becomes 'meets' ('meet' can be a synonym of 'encounter').
'chiefs' suggests taking the first letters.
'inside' indicates putting letters inside.
The first letters of 'rebel kings army' is 'rka'.
'meets' placed around 'rka' is 'MEERKATS'.

'they're' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for meerkats that I've seen before include "Burrowing creatures" , "Wild mammals" , "South African mammals" , "Tee marks made by the mongooses" , "They're a species of mongoose" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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