Snakes in New Mexico in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see snakes in New Mexico. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 9,052 of the 49,155 sightings logged across the year (18.4%), based on verified iNaturalist records.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Peak month for snakes in New Mexico
18.4%
of yearly sightings
9,052
records in May
#1
busiest month of 12
49,155
verified records a year
April 10.9%, May 18.4%, June 18.2%. Busiest month is May at 18.4%.
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)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 65 | 0.1% |
| February | 218 | 0.4% |
| March | 1,182 | 2.4% |
| April | 5,371 | 10.9% |
| Maypeak | 9,052 | 18.4% |
| Junepeak | 8,928 | 18.2% |
| Julypeak | 8,071 | 16.4% |
| August | 8,018 | 16.3% |
| September | 5,403 | 11% |
| October | 2,238 | 4.6% |
| November | 505 | 1% |
| December | 104 | 0.2% |
Snakes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Southwestern Fence Lizard | 4,965 |
| Gopher Snake | 3,555 |
| Common Side-blotched Lizard | 3,160 |
| Greater Short-horned Lizard | 2,937 |
| Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake | 2,658 |
| Chihuahuan Spotted Whiptail | 1,769 |
| Eastern Collared Lizard | 1,648 |
| Texas Horned Lizard | 1,602 |
In New Mexico, May carries 18.4% of the year's snakes sightings, about 10.1 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 1st busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (10.9%) into May, and it heads toward June (18.2%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May 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 May split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in May 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 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.
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Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main snake viewing area.
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Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see snakes in New Mexico in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 9,052 of the 49,155 verified snakes sightings logged in New Mexico across the year, which is 18.4% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see snakes in New Mexico?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 1st 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.
See snakes in New Mexico in other months
More places to see snakes
More wildlife in New Mexico