Reptile makes strange present (7)
I believe the answer is:
serpent
'reptile' is the definition.
(serpent is a kind of reptile)
'strange present' is the wordplay.
'strange' indicates anagramming the letters.
'present' with letters rearranged gives 'SERPENT'.
'makes' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for serpent that I've seen before include "Instrument of the past" , "Snake - old wind instrument" , "the first lady found beguiling" , "Tempting" , "Large snake, dragon" .)