Physiologically it can activate the sexual drive, bring more energy, etc. Spiritually it can stimulate greater perception of how to apply your insight and intuition. Your own vision and intuition will become more accurate. To understand the specific role your snake totem will play within your life, first begin by examining the form it takes. This alone will tell you much.
Every snake has a head, body, and tail, and there are a wide variety of snakes.
Some are poisonous, almost all can bite, and some squeeze and strangle their prey by coiling around it. Examine your snake's markings, and the patterns of its scales. A diamond-back rattler is named for its pattern of scales. Examine the significance of geometric shapes. This will help you to define the role the snake will have in your life.