Dangerous reptile artist found in equipment (5)
I believe the answer is:
krait
'dangerous reptile' is the definition.
'krait' can be an answer for 'reptile' (krait is a kind of reptile). I am not sure about the 'dangerous' bit.
'artist found in equipment' is the wordplay.
'artist' becomes 'RA' (Royal Academician, member of Royal Academy of Arts).
'found in' indicates putting letters inside.
'equipment' becomes 'kit' (kit is a kind of equipment).
'ra' placed within 'kit' is 'KRAIT'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for krait that I've seen before include "Venomous snake of southeast Asia" , "Venomous Asian snake" , "Poisonous snake" , "Deadly snake" , "Out East, snake" .)