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.

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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 photographed in New Mexico

Northern Black Widow · Joseph McPhail CC BY

Western Black Widow photographed in New Mexico

Western Black Widow · Rebecca Ray CC BY

Western Black Widow photographed in New Mexico

Western Black Widow · Michael Eisen CC BY

Photos by iNaturalist observers, reused under the licence each observer chose.
Best months: September, August, JulyPeak season right now

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)

Quietest month

February

10 records

MonthObservationsShare
January311.5%
February100.5%
March532.6%
April1507.2%
May1477.1%
June1919.2%
Julypeak34016.4%
Augustpeak36517.6%
Septemberpeak41620%
October23111.1%
November1105.3%
December321.5%

Black Widows you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Western Black Widow1,902
Brown Widow23
Southern Black Widow2

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.

MonthAvg highAvg lowRain
Jan44°F26°F0.6"
Feb47°F26°F0.8"
Mar57°F34°F1"
Apr68°F42°F0.4"
May76°F51°F0.5"
Jun84°F60°F1.1"
Julbest time87°F65°F1"
Augbest time84°F63°F1.2"
Sepbest time79°F57°F0.9"
Oct67°F44°F0.9"
Nov56°F35°F0.7"
Dec47°F29°F0.6"

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 MonumentNational Monument
  • Capulin Volcano National MonumentNational Monument
  • Carlsbad Caverns National ParkNational Park
  • El Malpais National MonumentNational Monument
  • El Morro National MonumentNational Monument
  • Gila Cliff Dwellings National MonumentNational 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.