Snakes in Idaho in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see snakes in Idaho. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 2,832 of the 11,537 sightings logged across the year (24.5%), 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 July 2, 2026.
Peak month for snakes in Idaho
24.5%
of yearly sightings
2,832
records in May
#1
busiest month of 12
11,537
verified records a year
April 10%, May 24.5%, June 24.1%. Busiest month is May at 24.5%.
11,537 verified observations of snakes in Idaho, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When snakes are recorded in Idaho
Peak month
May
2,832 records (24.5% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 2 | 0% |
| February | 17 | 0.1% |
| March | 234 | 2% |
| April | 1,155 | 10% |
| Maypeak | 2,832 | 24.5% |
| Junepeak | 2,782 | 24.1% |
| Julypeak | 1,491 | 12.9% |
| August | 1,339 | 11.6% |
| September | 1,199 | 10.4% |
| October | 438 | 3.8% |
| November | 39 | 0.3% |
| December | 9 | 0.1% |
Snakes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | 2,283 |
| Gopher Snake | 2,016 |
| Western Fence Lizard | 1,638 |
| Common Side-blotched Lizard | 984 |
| Common Sagebrush Lizard | 793 |
| Western Rattlesnake | 729 |
| Common Garter Snake | 569 |
| North American Racer | 531 |
In Idaho, May carries 24.5% of the year's snakes sightings, about 16.2 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 1st busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (10%) into May, and it heads toward June (24.1%) 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 Idaho are Western Terrestrial Garter Snake, Gopher Snake and Western Fence Lizard. 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
- Western Terrestrial Garter Snake2,283 records
- Gopher Snake2,016 records
- Western Fence Lizard1,638 records
- Common Side-blotched Lizard984 records
- Common Sagebrush Lizard793 records
- Western Rattlesnake729 records
Plan your snake trip in Idaho
Start with live tours near City Of Rocks National Reserve, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
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Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see snakes in Idaho in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 2,832 of the 11,537 verified snakes sightings logged in Idaho across the year, which is 24.5% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see snakes in Idaho?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of May, June and July.
What month is best for snakes in Idaho?+
May is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through May, June and July, based on 11,537 verified observations.
Which snakes are you most likely to see in Idaho?+
The most-recorded species in Idaho are Western Terrestrial Garter Snake, Gopher Snake and Western Fence Lizard, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See snakes in Idaho in other months
More places to see snakes
More wildlife in Idaho