Snakes in Arizona in April

Yes, April is one of the best months to see snakes in Arizona. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 20,511 of the 137,610 sightings logged across the year (14.9%), based on verified iNaturalist records.

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By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.

Common Coachwhip photographed in ArizonaArizona Ridgenose Rattlesnake photographed in ArizonaWestern Diamond-backed Rattlesnake photographed in Arizona
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Peak month for snakes in Arizona

14.9%

of yearly sightings

20,511

records in April

#3

busiest month of 12

137,610

verified records a year

March 7.6%, April 14.9%, May 15.9%. Busiest month is August at 16.1%.

Best months: August, May, April

137,610 verified observations of snakes in Arizona, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When snakes are recorded in Arizona

Peak month

August

22,219 records (16.1% of the year)

Quietest month

December

858 records

MonthObservationsShare
January8770.6%
February2,4601.8%
March10,5057.6%
Aprilpeak20,51114.9%
Maypeak21,88015.9%
June15,41411.2%
July19,37114.1%
Augustpeak22,21916.1%
September14,06910.2%
October6,9525.1%
November2,4941.8%
December8580.6%

Snakes you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Ornate Tree Lizard10,903
Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake10,164
Common Side-blotched Lizard10,146
Desert Spiny Lizard9,691
Yarrow's Spiny Lizard5,448
Gopher Snake5,409
Western Whiptail4,637
Zebra-tailed Lizard4,600

In Arizona, April carries 14.9% of the year's snakes sightings, about 6.6 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 3rd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.

Activity is rising from March (7.6%) into April, and it heads toward May (15.9%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so April is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.

The snakes most often recorded in Arizona are Ornate Tree Lizard, Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake and Common Side-blotched Lizard. Those counts are annual totals rather than a April split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in April itself.

Which snakes you are most likely to see

  • Ornate Tree Lizard10,903 records
  • Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake10,164 records
  • Common Side-blotched Lizard10,146 records
  • Desert Spiny Lizard9,691 records
  • Yarrow's Spiny Lizard5,448 records
  • Gopher Snake5,409 records
Plan your tripChiricahua National Monument

Plan your snake trip in Arizona

Start with live tours near Chiricahua National Monument, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.

Gear to see them

Frequently asked questions

Can you see snakes in Arizona in April?+

Yes. April accounts for 20,511 of the 137,610 verified snakes sightings logged in Arizona across the year, which is 14.9% of the annual total.

Is April a good time to see snakes in Arizona?+

April is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of August, May and April.

What month is best for snakes in Arizona?+

August is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through August, May and April, based on 137,610 verified observations.

Which snakes are you most likely to see in Arizona?+

The most-recorded species in Arizona are Ornate Tree Lizard, Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake and Common Side-blotched Lizard, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.