Cryptic crossword clue
Races out of hotel, behind time to catch reptiles 7

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word TURTLES

T
U
R
T
L
E
S

Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "reptiles" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case reptiles = turtles.
The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.
This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.

What does TURTLES mean?

TURTLES noun
  1. Any land or marine reptile of the order Testudines, characterised by a protective shell enclosing its body. See also tortoise.
  2. (specifically) A marine reptile of that order.
  3. An Ancient Roman attack method, where the shields held by the soldiers hide them, not only left, right, front and back, but also from above.
  4. A type of robot having a domed case (and so resembling the reptile), used in education, especially for making line drawings by means of a computer program.
  5. An on-screen cursor that serves the same function as a turtle for drawing.
  6. The curved plate in which the form is held in a type-revolving cylinder press.
  7. A small element towards the end of a list of items to be bubble sorted, and thus tending to take a long time to be swapped into its correct position. Compare rabbit.
  8. A breakdancing move consisting of a float during which the dancer's weight shifts from one hand to the other, producing rotation or a circular "walk".
  9. A low stand for a lamp etc.
TURTLES verb
  1. To flip over onto the back or top; to turn upside down.
  2. To turn and swim upside down.
  3. To hunt turtles, especially in the water.
  4. To build up a large defense force and strike only punctually, rather than going for an offensive strategy.
TURTLES noun
  1. A turtle dove.

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