Best Time to See Black Widows in New Mexico
September, August and July is the best time to see black widows in New Mexico. Based on 2,076 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when black widows are most active across the year in New Mexico.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 22, 2026.

Northern Black Widow · Joseph McPhail CC BY

Western Black Widow · Rebecca Ray CC BY

Western Black Widow · Michael Eisen CC BY
2,076 verified observations of black widows in New Mexico, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When black widows are recorded in New Mexico
Peak month
September
416 records (20% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 31 | 1.5% |
| February | 10 | 0.5% |
| March | 53 | 2.6% |
| April | 150 | 7.2% |
| May | 147 | 7.1% |
| June | 191 | 9.2% |
| Julypeak | 340 | 16.4% |
| Augustpeak | 365 | 17.6% |
| Septemberpeak | 416 | 20% |
| October | 231 | 11.1% |
| November | 110 | 5.3% |
| December | 32 | 1.5% |
Black Widows you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Western Black Widow | 1,902 |
| Brown Widow | 23 |
| Southern Black Widow | 2 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in New Mexico
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when black widows are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for black widows sit around 57 to 87 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 44°F | 26°F | 0.6" |
| Feb | 47°F | 26°F | 0.8" |
| Mar | 57°F | 34°F | 1" |
| Apr | 68°F | 42°F | 0.4" |
| May | 76°F | 51°F | 0.5" |
| Jun | 84°F | 60°F | 1.1" |
| Julbest time | 87°F | 65°F | 1" |
| Augbest time | 84°F | 63°F | 1.2" |
| Sepbest time | 79°F | 57°F | 0.9" |
| Oct | 67°F | 44°F | 0.9" |
| Nov | 56°F | 35°F | 0.7" |
| Dec | 47°F | 29°F | 0.6" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for New Mexico. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of black widows in New Mexico peak in September, when 416 of the year's 2,076 verified observations are logged — about 20% of the annual total. Activity stays high through September, August and July.
The quietest stretch is February, when black widows are hardest to find — February sees just 10 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The black widows you are most likely to encounter in New Mexico are Western Black Widow, Brown Widow and Southern Black Widow — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.
Where to go
Best places to see black widows in New Mexico
- Bandelier National Monument — National Monument
- Capulin Volcano National Monument — National Monument
- Carlsbad Caverns National Park — National Park
- El Malpais National Monument — National Monument
- El Morro National Monument — National Monument
- Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument — National Monument
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see black widows in New Mexico?+
September is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through September, August and July, based on 2,076 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are black widows hardest to see in New Mexico?+
February is the quietest month for black widows in New Mexico, with only 10 verified records.
Are black widows active year-round in New Mexico?+
Black widows are recorded in 12 of 12 months in New Mexico, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in September.
More wildlife in New Mexico