Snakes in Missouri in September

Yes, September is a good month to see snakes in Missouri. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 2,182 of the 23,492 sightings logged across the year (9.3%), 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.

Western Worm Snake photographed in MissouriEastern Garter Snake photographed in MissouriEastern Copperhead photographed in Missouri
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Good month for snakes in Missouri

9.3%

of yearly sightings

2,182

records in September

#4

busiest month of 12

23,492

verified records a year

August 8.5%, September 9.3%, October 7%. Busiest month is May at 24.6%.

Best months: May, April, June

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)

Quietest month

January

29 records

MonthObservationsShare
January290.1%
February1060.5%
March1,7247.3%
Aprilpeak4,61319.6%
Maypeak5,77824.6%
Junepeak2,99112.7%
July1,8067.7%
August1,9928.5%
September2,1829.3%
October1,6427%
November5312.3%
December980.4%

Snakes you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Western Ratsnake2,469
Common Watersnake2,348
Prairie Lizard2,317
DeKay's Brownsnake2,065
Common Garter Snake1,787
Common Five-lined Skink1,738
Ring-necked Snake1,334
North American Racer740

In Missouri, September carries 9.3% of the year's snakes sightings, about 1 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.

Activity holds steady between August and September, and it heads toward October (7%) after. The busiest month is May (24.6%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.

The snakes most often recorded in Missouri are Western Ratsnake, Common Watersnake and Prairie Lizard. Those counts are annual totals rather than a September split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in September 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 tripGeorge Washington Carver National Monument

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.

Gear to see them

Frequently asked questions

Can you see snakes in Missouri in September?+

Yes. September accounts for 2,182 of the 23,492 verified snakes sightings logged in Missouri across the year, which is 9.3% of the annual total.

Is September a good time to see snakes in Missouri?+

September is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though May and April is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.

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.