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. The rattlesnake, for example, moves around only during the cool hours of the night.
Extreme heat is deadly to it.
You may find for yourself that becoming more nocturnal would be of benefit. It has a side winding motion to its movement. It also has a special sense organ, a small pit in the head that reacts to heat put out by other creatures. This is how it senses its prey. On a symbolic level this indicates for those with this totem an increasing sensitivity to the auras of others.