If a snake wraps around the arm, unwrap it from the tail end first whilst restraining the head. It is wise never to let go of the head of a snake when examining it. Even docile small corn snakes can bite then vet who is giving it unwanted attention. Always wash a snake bite with copious amounts of water and check the wound for small teeth which the animal may have shed into the skin, which may later cause a foreign body reaction. Reptiles are not social like most mammals and so tolerate moderate handling only.
Cloacal spurs are present in some male snakes.
Most male reptiles are larger than the female of the species e.g. red-eared terrapins. Although this is not an accurate method of prediction. It should be noted that the secondary sexual characteristics will not be present in immature animals. Endoscopy can be used to visualise the gonads. The use of temperature dependant sex determination during incubation can be used to predict the sex of the hatchlings.