Snakes in Nevada in September

Yes, September is a good month to see snakes in Nevada. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 2,366 of the 26,305 sightings logged across the year (9%), 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.

Rattlesnakes photographed in NevadaPanamint Rattlesnake photographed in NevadaWestern Side-blotched Lizard photographed in Nevada
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Good month for snakes in Nevada

9%

of yearly sightings

2,366

records in September

#5

busiest month of 12

26,305

verified records a year

August 7.6%, September 9%, October 5.1%. Busiest month is May at 23.8%.

Best months: May, June, April

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)

Quietest month

December

56 records

MonthObservationsShare
January1110.4%
February3401.3%
March1,7656.7%
Aprilpeak4,29216.3%
Maypeak6,25223.8%
Junepeak5,05919.2%
July2,4969.5%
August1,9927.6%
September2,3669%
October1,3305.1%
November2460.9%
December560.2%

Snakes you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Common Side-blotched Lizard4,559
Western Fence Lizard3,276
Desert Spiny Lizard1,950
Desert Horned Lizard1,875
Gopher Snake1,737
Western Whiptail1,725
Long-nosed Leopard Lizard1,369
Zebra-tailed Lizard1,129

In Nevada, September carries 9% of the year's snakes sightings, about 0.7 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 5th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.

Activity is rising from August (7.6%) into September, and it heads toward October (5.1%) after. The busiest month is May (23.8%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.

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 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

  • 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 tripDeath Valley National Park

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.

Gear to see them

Frequently asked questions

Can you see snakes in Nevada in September?+

Yes. September accounts for 2,366 of the 26,305 verified snakes sightings logged in Nevada across the year, which is 9% of the annual total.

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

September is the 5th busiest month. It is workable, though May and June is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.

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.