Snakes in Kansas in April

Yes, April is one of the best months to see snakes in Kansas. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 6,354 of the 26,444 sightings logged across the year (24%), 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.

North American Racer photographed in KansasRed-sided Garter Snake photographed in KansasPrairie Rattlesnake photographed in Kansas
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Peak month for snakes in Kansas

24%

of yearly sightings

6,354

records in April

#1

busiest month of 12

26,444

verified records a year

March 3.4%, April 24%, May 22.9%. Busiest month is April at 24%.

Best months: April, May, June

26,444 verified observations of snakes in Kansas, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When snakes are recorded in Kansas

Peak month

April

6,354 records (24% of the year)

Quietest month

January

20 records

MonthObservationsShare
January200.1%
February590.2%
March9053.4%
Aprilpeak6,35424%
Maypeak6,05122.9%
Junepeak3,75914.2%
July2,1268%
August1,5836%
September3,31112.5%
October1,7306.5%
November4801.8%
December660.2%

Snakes you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Ring-necked Snake2,446
Western Ratsnake1,713
Common Garter Snake1,538
North American Racer1,238
Gopher Snake1,187
Eastern Collared Lizard1,183
Great Plains Skink1,166
Common Watersnake1,144

In Kansas, April carries 24% of the year's snakes sightings, about 15.7 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 March (3.4%) into April, and it heads toward May (22.9%) 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 Kansas are Ring-necked Snake, Western Ratsnake and Common Garter Snake. 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

  • Ring-necked Snake2,446 records
  • Western Ratsnake1,713 records
  • Common Garter Snake1,538 records
  • North American Racer1,238 records
  • Gopher Snake1,187 records
  • Eastern Collared Lizard1,183 records
Plan your tripLewis & Clark National Historic Trail

Plan your snake trip in Kansas

Start with live tours near Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail, 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 Kansas in April?+

Yes. April accounts for 6,354 of the 26,444 verified snakes sightings logged in Kansas across the year, which is 24% of the annual total.

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

April is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of April, May and June.

What month is best for snakes in Kansas?+

April is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through April, May and June, based on 26,444 verified observations.

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

The most-recorded species in Kansas are Ring-necked Snake, Western Ratsnake and Common Garter Snake, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.