Calculating snake (5)
I believe the answer is:
adder
'snake' is the definition.
(adder is a kind of snake)
I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for adder that I've seen before include "Viper common in northern Eurasia" , "Totting snake" , "Britain's only venomous snake" , "Venomous type" , "Something you have to reckon with" .)