Snakes in New Mexico in September
Yes, September is a good month to see snakes in New Mexico. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 5,403 of the 49,155 sightings logged across the year (11%), 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.
Good month for snakes in New Mexico
11%
of yearly sightings
5,403
records in September
#5
busiest month of 12
49,155
verified records a year
August 16.3%, September 11%, October 4.6%. 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, September carries 11% of the year's snakes sightings, about 2.7 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 5th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from August (16.3%) into September, and it heads toward October (4.6%) after. The busiest month is May (18.4%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
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 September split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in September 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 September?+
Yes. September accounts for 5,403 of the 49,155 verified snakes sightings logged in New Mexico across the year, which is 11% of the annual total.
Is September a good time to see snakes in New Mexico?+
September is the 5th busiest month. It is workable, though May and June is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
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