Snakes in Arkansas in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see snakes in Arkansas. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 5,757 of the 27,013 sightings logged across the year (21.3%), 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.
Peak month for snakes in Arkansas
21.3%
of yearly sightings
5,757
records in May
#2
busiest month of 12
27,013
verified records a year
April 22.3%, May 21.3%, June 11.6%. Busiest month is April at 22.3%.
27,013 verified observations of snakes in Arkansas, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When snakes are recorded in Arkansas
Peak month
April
6,014 records (22.3% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 126 | 0.5% |
| February | 408 | 1.5% |
| March | 2,826 | 10.5% |
| Aprilpeak | 6,014 | 22.3% |
| Maypeak | 5,757 | 21.3% |
| Junepeak | 3,125 | 11.6% |
| July | 1,877 | 6.9% |
| August | 1,806 | 6.7% |
| September | 2,292 | 8.5% |
| October | 1,859 | 6.9% |
| November | 772 | 2.9% |
| December | 151 | 0.6% |
Snakes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Prairie Lizard | 2,729 |
| Western Ratsnake | 1,817 |
| Common Five-lined Skink | 1,542 |
| Ring-necked Snake | 1,497 |
| Northern Cottonmouth | 1,323 |
| DeKay's Brownsnake | 1,298 |
| Common Watersnake | 1,162 |
| Speckled Kingsnake | 1,153 |
In Arkansas, May carries 21.3% of the year's snakes sightings, about 13 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 2nd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity holds steady between April and May, and it heads toward June (11.6%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The snakes most often recorded in Arkansas are Prairie Lizard, Western Ratsnake and Common Five-lined Skink. Those counts are annual totals rather than a May split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in May itself.
Which snakes you are most likely to see
- Prairie Lizard2,729 records
- Western Ratsnake1,817 records
- Common Five-lined Skink1,542 records
- Ring-necked Snake1,497 records
- Northern Cottonmouth1,323 records
- DeKay's Brownsnake1,298 records
Plan your snake trip in Arkansas
Start with live tours near Arkansas Post National Memorial, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
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Live tours nearbySee live tours near Arkansas Post National Memorial
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main snake viewing area.
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Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see snakes in Arkansas in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 5,757 of the 27,013 verified snakes sightings logged in Arkansas across the year, which is 21.3% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see snakes in Arkansas?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of April, May and June.
What month is best for snakes in Arkansas?+
April is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through April, May and June, based on 27,013 verified observations.
Which snakes are you most likely to see in Arkansas?+
The most-recorded species in Arkansas are Prairie Lizard, Western Ratsnake and Common Five-lined Skink, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See snakes in Arkansas in other months
More places to see snakes
More wildlife in Arkansas