Snakes in Nevada in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see snakes in Nevada. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 6,252 of the 26,305 sightings logged across the year (23.8%), 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 Nevada
23.8%
of yearly sightings
6,252
records in May
#1
busiest month of 12
26,305
verified records a year
April 16.3%, May 23.8%, June 19.2%. Busiest month is May at 23.8%.
26,305 verified observations of snakes in Nevada, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When snakes are recorded in Nevada
Peak month
May
6,252 records (23.8% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 111 | 0.4% |
| February | 340 | 1.3% |
| March | 1,765 | 6.7% |
| Aprilpeak | 4,292 | 16.3% |
| Maypeak | 6,252 | 23.8% |
| Junepeak | 5,059 | 19.2% |
| July | 2,496 | 9.5% |
| August | 1,992 | 7.6% |
| September | 2,366 | 9% |
| October | 1,330 | 5.1% |
| November | 246 | 0.9% |
| December | 56 | 0.2% |
Snakes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Common Side-blotched Lizard | 4,559 |
| Western Fence Lizard | 3,276 |
| Desert Spiny Lizard | 1,950 |
| Desert Horned Lizard | 1,875 |
| Gopher Snake | 1,737 |
| Western Whiptail | 1,725 |
| Long-nosed Leopard Lizard | 1,369 |
| Zebra-tailed Lizard | 1,129 |
In Nevada, May carries 23.8% of the year's snakes sightings, about 15.5 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 (16.3%) into May, and it heads toward June (19.2%) 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 Nevada are Common Side-blotched Lizard, Western Fence Lizard and Desert Spiny 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
- Common Side-blotched Lizard4,559 records
- Western Fence Lizard3,276 records
- Desert Spiny Lizard1,950 records
- Desert Horned Lizard1,875 records
- Gopher Snake1,737 records
- Western Whiptail1,725 records
Plan your snake trip in Nevada
Start with live tours near Death Valley National Park, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Death Valley National Park
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main snake viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Death Valley National Park
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best snake viewing area in Nevada.
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Broader backupBook a snake tour in Nevada
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see snakes in Nevada in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 6,252 of the 26,305 verified snakes sightings logged in Nevada across the year, which is 23.8% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see snakes in Nevada?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of May, June and April.
What month is best for snakes in Nevada?+
May is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through May, June and April, based on 26,305 verified observations.
Which snakes are you most likely to see in Nevada?+
The most-recorded species in Nevada are Common Side-blotched Lizard, Western Fence Lizard and Desert Spiny Lizard, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See snakes in Nevada in other months
More places to see snakes
More wildlife in Nevada