He produces the total snake (5)

I believe the answer is:

adder

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'snake' is the definition.
(adder is a kind of snake)

'he produces the total' is the wordplay.
'he' becomes 'Ad'.
'produces the total' becomes 'der' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'ad'+'der'='ADDER'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for adder that I've seen before include "One creature" , "British snake; summer" , "Venomous sort" , "exhibit in the reptile house" , "poisoner" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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