Best Time to See Rabbits in New Mexico
April, June and May is the best time to see rabbits in New Mexico. Based on 4,541 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when rabbits 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 June 28, 2026.
Black-tailed Jackrabbit · Public domain CC0
Black-tailed Jackrabbit · Fredy CC BY-SA
Holzner Cottontail · CK2AZ CC BY
4,541 verified observations of rabbits in New Mexico, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When rabbits are recorded in New Mexico
Peak month
April
798 records (17.6% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 110 | 2.4% |
| February | 124 | 2.7% |
| March | 235 | 5.2% |
| Aprilpeak | 798 | 17.6% |
| Maypeak | 696 | 15.3% |
| Junepeak | 705 | 15.5% |
| July | 513 | 11.3% |
| August | 446 | 9.8% |
| September | 357 | 7.9% |
| October | 251 | 5.5% |
| November | 198 | 4.4% |
| December | 108 | 2.4% |
Rabbits you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Desert Cottontail | 2,811 |
| Black-tailed Jackrabbit | 891 |
| Mountain Cottontail | 147 |
| Holzner Cottontail | 17 |
| White-sided Jackrabbit | 16 |
| Snowshoe Hare | 14 |
| European Rabbit | 4 |
| Eastern Cottontail | 3 |
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 rabbits are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for rabbits sit around 42 to 84 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" |
| Aprbest time | 68°F | 42°F | 0.4" |
| Maybest time | 76°F | 51°F | 0.5" |
| Junbest time | 84°F | 60°F | 1.1" |
| Jul | 87°F | 65°F | 1" |
| Aug | 84°F | 63°F | 1.2" |
| Sep | 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.
More on rabbits in New Mexico:
Sightings of rabbits in New Mexico peak in April, when 798 of the year's 4,541 verified observations are logged — about 17.6% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, June and May.
The quietest stretch is December, January and February, when rabbits are hardest to find — December sees just 108 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The rabbits you are most likely to encounter in New Mexico are Desert Cottontail, Black-tailed Jackrabbit and Mountain Cottontail — 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 rabbits 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 rabbits in New Mexico?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, June and May, based on 4,541 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are rabbits hardest to see in New Mexico?+
December is the quietest month for rabbits in New Mexico, with only 108 verified records.
Are rabbits active year-round in New Mexico?+
Rabbits are recorded in 12 of 12 months in New Mexico, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More places to see rabbits
More wildlife in New Mexico