Snake took steps, but not at first (5)
I believe the answer is:
adder
'snake' is the definition.
(type of snake)
'steps but not at first' is the wordplay.
'steps' becomes 'ladder' (ladder is a kind of steps).
'but not at first' means to remove the first letter.
'ladder' with its first letter taken away is 'ADDER'.
'took' is the link.
I am not very happy about this link. It may be part of another bit of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for adder that I've seen before include "Something you have to reckon with" , "calculator?" , "One contributing more" , "accountant?" , "Mathematical reptile" .)