Gladiator laid out by local reptile (5)
I believe the answer is:
gator
'local reptile' is the definition.
'gator' can be an answer for 'reptile' (short for alligator). I'm not sure about the 'local' bit.
'gladiator laid out' is the wordplay.
'out' indicates named letters should be taken away.
'gladiator' with 'laid' taken away is 'GATOR'.
'by' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for gator that I've seen before include "dangerous reptile shortly" , "One taking snaps" , "beast?" , "one snaps in America" , "Short reptile" .)