Raccoon-like creature turned up snake around hollow (3,5)
I believe the answer is:
red panda
'raccoon-like creature turned' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.
'up snake around hollow' is the wordplay.
'up' says the letters should be written backwards (in down clue: letters go upwards).
'snake' becomes 'adder' (type of snake).
'around' is an insertion indicator.
'hollow' becomes 'pan' (I've seen this in other clues).
'adder' back-to-front is 'redda'.
'redda' placed around 'pan' is 'RED PANDA'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for red panda that I've seen before include "something like a raccoon" , "Asian animal" , "furry creature" , "Wild animal" , "Small carnivore - dared nap (anag)" .)