Month by month

What Reptiles and Amphibians Are Out in New Mexico in October

46 reptiles and amphibians are active in New Mexico in October, and 15 are at peak. Peak species include the Common Side-blotched Lizard, Gopher Snake, Prairie Rattlesnake, and Ornate Tree Lizard.

Counted from iNaturalist research-grade observations recorded inside New Mexico. Seasons shift across the state, so for a closer match, pick your ecoregion.

Full 12-month New Mexico calendar Pick your ecoregion

Species out across New Mexico, by group and month

Group
Snakes			5	14	23	25	25	25	22	17	5
Lizards	1	4	13	24	25	25	26	26	24	18	7	1
Turtles	1	2	4	5	6	6	6	6	5	4	1	1
Frogs and Toads		1	1	4	12	13	13	13	10	6	1
Salamanders				1	1	2	2	2	2	1

Numbers = species active that month (at peak or just starting / winding down).

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At peak in October 15

Snakes

peak

SnakesBig Bend Patch-nosed SnakeSalvadora deserticola

peak

SnakesGopher SnakePituophis catenifer

peak

SnakesMountain Patch-nosed SnakeSalvadora grahamiae

peak

SnakesPrairie RattlesnakeCrotalus viridis

venomous

peak

SnakesRing-necked SnakeDiadophis punctatus

peak

SnakesStriped WhipsnakeMasticophis taeniatus

Lizards

peak

LizardsCommon Side-blotched LizardUta stansburiana

peak

LizardsCrevice Spiny LizardSceloporus poinsettii

peak

LizardsMadrean Alligator LizardElgaria kingii

peak

LizardsMediterranean House GeckoHemidactylus turcicus

introduced

peak

LizardsOrnate Tree LizardUrosaurus ornatus

peak

LizardsPlateau Fence LizardSceloporus tristichus

Turtles

peak

TurtlesPainted TurtleChrysemys picta

Frogs and Toads

peak

Frogs and ToadsRed-spotted ToadAnaxyrus punctatus

Salamanders

peak

SalamandersWestern Tiger SalamanderAmbystoma mavortium

Shoulder season in October 31

Snakes

shoulder

SnakesBlack-necked Garter SnakeThamnophis cyrtopsis

shoulder

SnakesCommon CoachwhipMasticophis flagellum

shoulder

SnakesDesert KingsnakeLampropeltis splendida

shoulder

SnakesEastern Black-tailed RattlesnakeCrotalus ornatus

venomous

shoulder

SnakesGlossy SnakeArizona elegans

shoulder

SnakesLong-nosed SnakeRhinocheilus lecontei

shoulder

SnakesMojave RattlesnakeCrotalus scutulatus

venomous

shoulder

SnakesPlains Hognose SnakeHeterodon nasicus

shoulder

SnakesWestern Black-tailed RattlesnakeCrotalus molossus

venomous

shoulder

SnakesWestern Diamond-backed RattlesnakeCrotalus atrox

venomous

shoulder

SnakesWestern Terrestrial Garter SnakeThamnophis elegans

Lizards

shoulder

LizardsClark's Spiny LizardSceloporus clarkii

shoulder

LizardsEastern Collared LizardCrotaphytus collaris

shoulder

LizardsGreater Earless LizardCophosaurus texanus

shoulder

LizardsGreater Short-horned LizardPhrynosoma hernandesi

shoulder

LizardsNew Mexico WhiptailAspidoscelis neomexicanus

shoulder

LizardsPlateau Striped WhiptailAspidoscelis velox

shoulder

LizardsPrairie LizardSceloporus consobrinus

shoulder

LizardsRoundtail Horned LizardPhrynosoma modestum

shoulder

LizardsSouthwestern Fence LizardSceloporus cowlesi

shoulder

LizardsTexas Horned LizardPhrynosoma cornutum

shoulder

LizardsTwin-spotted Spiny LizardSceloporus bimaculosus

shoulder

LizardsWestern Earless LizardHolbrookia maculata

Turtles

shoulder

TurtlesOrnate Box TurtleTerrapene ornata

shoulder

TurtlesPond SliderTrachemys scripta

shoulder

TurtlesSpiny SoftshellApalone spinifera

Frogs and Toads

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsAmerican BullfrogLithobates catesbeianus

introduced

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsChihuahuan Green ToadAnaxyrus debilis

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsGreat Plains ToadAnaxyrus cognatus

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsMexican SpadefootSpea multiplicata

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsWoodhouse's ToadAnaxyrus woodhousii

Peak and shoulder ratings are rough guidance, not a schedule. Weather, elevation and the year can shift any species by weeks.

Rare and protected species are left off on purpose. Look, don't take, and never handle a venomous snake.

New Mexico in October

What reptiles and amphibians are out in New Mexico in October?

46 reptiles and amphibians are active in New Mexico in October, and 15 are at peak. Peak species include the Common Side-blotched Lizard, Gopher Snake, Prairie Rattlesnake, and Ornate Tree Lizard.

Are venomous snakes active in New Mexico in October?

Yes. The Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake, Prairie Rattlesnake, Eastern Black-tailed Rattlesnake, Mojave Rattlesnake, and Western Black-tailed Rattlesnake can be active in October. Watch where you step and don't handle them.