Snakes in Arizona in September
Yes, September is a good month to see snakes in Arizona. It is the 6th busiest month of the year, with 14,069 of the 137,610 sightings logged across the year (10.2%), based on verified iNaturalist records.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Good month for snakes in Arizona
10.2%
of yearly sightings
14,069
records in September
#6
busiest month of 12
137,610
verified records a year
August 16.1%, September 10.2%, October 5.1%. Busiest month is August at 16.1%.
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)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 877 | 0.6% |
| February | 2,460 | 1.8% |
| March | 10,505 | 7.6% |
| Aprilpeak | 20,511 | 14.9% |
| Maypeak | 21,880 | 15.9% |
| June | 15,414 | 11.2% |
| July | 19,371 | 14.1% |
| Augustpeak | 22,219 | 16.1% |
| September | 14,069 | 10.2% |
| October | 6,952 | 5.1% |
| November | 2,494 | 1.8% |
| December | 858 | 0.6% |
Snakes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Ornate Tree Lizard | 10,903 |
| Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake | 10,164 |
| Common Side-blotched Lizard | 10,146 |
| Desert Spiny Lizard | 9,691 |
| Yarrow's Spiny Lizard | 5,448 |
| Gopher Snake | 5,409 |
| Western Whiptail | 4,637 |
| Zebra-tailed Lizard | 4,600 |
In Arizona, September carries 10.2% of the year's snakes sightings, about 1.9 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 6th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from August (16.1%) into September, and it heads toward October (5.1%) after. The busiest month is August (16.1%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
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 September split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in September 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 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.
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Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main snake viewing area.
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Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see snakes in Arizona in September?+
Yes. September accounts for 14,069 of the 137,610 verified snakes sightings logged in Arizona across the year, which is 10.2% of the annual total.
Is September a good time to see snakes in Arizona?+
September is the 6th busiest month. It is workable, though August and May is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
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.
See snakes in Arizona in other months
More places to see snakes
More wildlife in Arizona