Snakes in New Mexico in June

Yes, June is one of the best months to see snakes in New Mexico. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 8,928 of the 49,155 sightings logged across the year (18.2%), 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.

Sonoran Gopher Snake photographed in New MexicoNew Mexico Ridgenose Rattlesnake photographed in New MexicoPrairie Rattlesnake photographed in New Mexico
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Peak month for snakes in New Mexico

18.2%

of yearly sightings

8,928

records in June

#2

busiest month of 12

49,155

verified records a year

May 18.4%, June 18.2%, July 16.4%. Busiest month is May at 18.4%.

Best months: May, June, JulyPeak season right now

49,155 verified observations of snakes in New Mexico, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When snakes are recorded in New Mexico

Peak month

May

9,052 records (18.4% of the year)

Quietest month

January

65 records

MonthObservationsShare
January650.1%
February2180.4%
March1,1822.4%
April5,37110.9%
Maypeak9,05218.4%
Junepeak8,92818.2%
Julypeak8,07116.4%
August8,01816.3%
September5,40311%
October2,2384.6%
November5051%
December1040.2%

Snakes you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Southwestern Fence Lizard4,965
Gopher Snake3,555
Common Side-blotched Lizard3,160
Greater Short-horned Lizard2,937
Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake2,658
Chihuahuan Spotted Whiptail1,769
Eastern Collared Lizard1,648
Texas Horned Lizard1,602

In New Mexico, June carries 18.2% of the year's snakes sightings, about 9.9 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 2nd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.

Activity holds steady between May and June, and it heads toward July (16.4%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so June is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.

The snakes most often recorded in New Mexico are Southwestern Fence Lizard, Gopher Snake and Common Side-blotched Lizard. Those counts are annual totals rather than a June split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in June itself.

Which snakes you are most likely to see

  • Southwestern Fence Lizard4,965 records
  • Gopher Snake3,555 records
  • Common Side-blotched Lizard3,160 records
  • Greater Short-horned Lizard2,937 records
  • Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake2,658 records
  • Chihuahuan Spotted Whiptail1,769 records
Plan your tripBandelier National Monument

Plan your snake trip in New Mexico

Start with live tours near Bandelier National Monument, 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 New Mexico in June?+

Yes. June accounts for 8,928 of the 49,155 verified snakes sightings logged in New Mexico across the year, which is 18.2% of the annual total.

Is June a good time to see snakes in New Mexico?+

June is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of May, June and July.

What month is best for snakes in New Mexico?+

May is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through May, June and July, based on 49,155 verified observations.

Which snakes are you most likely to see in New Mexico?+

The most-recorded species in New Mexico are Southwestern Fence Lizard, Gopher Snake and Common Side-blotched Lizard, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.