Snakes in Kansas in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see snakes in Kansas. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 6,051 of the 26,444 sightings logged across the year (22.9%), 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 Kansas
22.9%
of yearly sightings
6,051
records in May
#2
busiest month of 12
26,444
verified records a year
April 24%, May 22.9%, June 14.2%. Busiest month is April at 24%.
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)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 20 | 0.1% |
| February | 59 | 0.2% |
| March | 905 | 3.4% |
| Aprilpeak | 6,354 | 24% |
| Maypeak | 6,051 | 22.9% |
| Junepeak | 3,759 | 14.2% |
| July | 2,126 | 8% |
| August | 1,583 | 6% |
| September | 3,311 | 12.5% |
| October | 1,730 | 6.5% |
| November | 480 | 1.8% |
| December | 66 | 0.2% |
Snakes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Ring-necked Snake | 2,446 |
| Western Ratsnake | 1,713 |
| Common Garter Snake | 1,538 |
| North American Racer | 1,238 |
| Gopher Snake | 1,187 |
| Eastern Collared Lizard | 1,183 |
| Great Plains Skink | 1,166 |
| Common Watersnake | 1,144 |
In Kansas, May carries 22.9% of the year's snakes sightings, about 14.6 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 is easing off from April (24%) into May, and it heads toward June (14.2%) 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 Kansas are Ring-necked Snake, Western Ratsnake and Common Garter Snake. 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
- 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 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.
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Live tours nearbySee live tours near Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
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 Kansas in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 6,051 of the 26,444 verified snakes sightings logged in Kansas across the year, which is 22.9% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see snakes in Kansas?+
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 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.
See snakes in Kansas in other months
More places to see snakes
More wildlife in Kansas