Snakes in Missouri in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see snakes in Missouri. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 5,778 of the 23,492 sightings logged across the year (24.6%), 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 Missouri
24.6%
of yearly sightings
5,778
records in May
#1
busiest month of 12
23,492
verified records a year
April 19.6%, May 24.6%, June 12.7%. Busiest month is May at 24.6%.
23,492 verified observations of snakes in Missouri, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When snakes are recorded in Missouri
Peak month
May
5,778 records (24.6% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 29 | 0.1% |
| February | 106 | 0.5% |
| March | 1,724 | 7.3% |
| Aprilpeak | 4,613 | 19.6% |
| Maypeak | 5,778 | 24.6% |
| Junepeak | 2,991 | 12.7% |
| July | 1,806 | 7.7% |
| August | 1,992 | 8.5% |
| September | 2,182 | 9.3% |
| October | 1,642 | 7% |
| November | 531 | 2.3% |
| December | 98 | 0.4% |
Snakes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Western Ratsnake | 2,469 |
| Common Watersnake | 2,348 |
| Prairie Lizard | 2,317 |
| DeKay's Brownsnake | 2,065 |
| Common Garter Snake | 1,787 |
| Common Five-lined Skink | 1,738 |
| Ring-necked Snake | 1,334 |
| North American Racer | 740 |
In Missouri, May carries 24.6% of the year's snakes sightings, about 16.3 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 (19.6%) into May, and it heads toward June (12.7%) 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 Missouri are Western Ratsnake, Common Watersnake and Prairie 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 Ratsnake2,469 records
- Common Watersnake2,348 records
- Prairie Lizard2,317 records
- DeKay's Brownsnake2,065 records
- Common Garter Snake1,787 records
- Common Five-lined Skink1,738 records
Plan your snake trip in Missouri
Start with live tours near George Washington Carver 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 Missouri in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 5,778 of the 23,492 verified snakes sightings logged in Missouri across the year, which is 24.6% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see snakes in Missouri?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of May, April and June.
What month is best for snakes in Missouri?+
May is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through May, April and June, based on 23,492 verified observations.
Which snakes are you most likely to see in Missouri?+
The most-recorded species in Missouri are Western Ratsnake, Common Watersnake and Prairie Lizard, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See snakes in Missouri in other months
More places to see snakes
More wildlife in Missouri