Reptile somewhat resembling a tortoise (5)

I believe the answer is:

gator

'reptile' is the definition.
(short for alligator)

'somewhat resembling a tortoise' is the wordplay.
'somewhat' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue.
'GATOR' is hidden in the letters of 'resembling a tortoise'.

(Other definitions for gator that I've seen before include "one snaps in America" , "US snapper" , "beast?" , "One taking snaps" , "Short reptile" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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