This page lists 61 snakes: 59 from New Mexico Department of Wildlife's BISON-M species search, taxonomic name "Serpentes" and 2 named in other official sources.
12 species are venomous by official accounts: Western Coral Snake, Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake, Sidewinder Rattlesnake, Banded Rock Rattlesnake and Mottled Rock Rattlesnake (two forms of one species), Western Black-tailed Rattlesnake, Eastern Black-tailed Rattlesnake, Mojave Rattlesnake, Tiger Rattlesnake, Prairie Rattlesnake, New Mexico Ridge-nosed Rattlesnake, Western Massasauga and Arizona Black Rattlesnake.
State NM: Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) 2025
What the sources say
Venom: “Mojave rattlesnakes in Hidalgo County, New Mexico appear to have two types of venom present, specifically neurotoxic and hemorrhagic.” (BISON-M)
State NM: Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) 2025; State NM: Threatened
What the sources say
Venom: “Many different types of rattlesnakes live in New Mexico, including: prairie, western diamondback, black-tailed, rock, ridgenose, massasauga and Mojave.” (New Mexico Poison & Drug Information Center)
Federal: Threatened; State NM: Endangered; State NM: Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) 2025
What the sources say
Venom: “Many different types of rattlesnakes live in New Mexico, including: prairie, western diamondback, black-tailed, rock, ridgenose, massasauga and Mojave.” (New Mexico Poison & Drug Information Center)
Usually about 3 to 4 feet; Montana gives 15 to 60 inches and NPS says up to 5 feet. Arizona gives a maximum of 28 to 64 inches (excluding rattle) depending on subspecies; in Colorado it is rarely over 39 inches.
How to recognize it
Rattle (or a button in newborns) at the tail tip
Head much broader than the neck, many small scales on top of the head, heat-sensing pit between eye and nostril
Vertical (cat-like) pupils
JFMAMJJASOND
122 records by month.What the sources say
Venom: “Prairie rattlesnakes are also venomous to people and pets” (National Park Service)
Venom: “Black-tailed rattlesnakes are sometimes seen along the trail sunning themselves in the summer. Watch your step so you don't disturb these venomous snakes.” (National Park Service)
Usually about 3.5 to 4.5 feet; Texas says it can reach seven feet. Arizona's maximum is 66 inches excluding the rattle; Saguaro National Park gives a range of 30 to 90 inches.
How to recognize it
Rattle at the end of the tail
Broad triangular head on a slender neck; vertical pupils
Thin light stripe from behind the eye down to the upper lip
JFMAMJJASOND
350 records by month.What the sources say
Venom: “…western diamondback rattlesnakes (Crotalus atrox) are one of the venomous species of snake at El Malpais.” (National Park Service)
State NM: Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) 2025
What the sources say
Venom: “Like all rattlesnakes, the desert massasauga is venomous” (BISON-M)
The other 48 snakes
From A to Z. "Not stated" means no official source we use gives a venom status, not that the snake is harmless. Some harmless snakes mimic venomous ones: leave every snake alone.
Usually 2.5-3.5 ft, up to about 4 ft (NPS Cabrillo). Arizona Game and Fish gives up to 56 inches for the common kingsnake; NPS Tuzigoot (Arizona) gives 40-80 inches for kingsnakes there. These official figures differ.
How to recognize it
Smooth, glossy scales ('Lampropeltis' means 'shiny shield').
Arizona form: black or dark brown with 21 to 45 white bands that widen low on the sides; snout and face usually have small white blotches.
Round pupils (Arizona Game and Fish, common kingsnake).
What the sources say
Venom: “Some harmless snakes (such as king snakes and coachwhips) eat other snakes, including poisonous ones.” (College of ACES)
Most adults about 42 to 60 inches (3.5 to 5 ft); record 102 inches (8.5 ft). Ranges given by agencies: 41 to 84 in (Louisiana), 36 to 82 in (Oklahoma), adults average 50 to 72 in (Alabama), up to 94 in (NC State Extension), up to 80 in in Colorado and up to 68 in in Arizona.
How to recognize it
Long, slowly tapering tail whose scales look like a braided whip
Very long and slender, with smooth scales
Large eyes with round pupils
JFMAMJJASOND
47 records by month.What the sources say
Venom: “Harmless to humans, the coachwhip is a long, slender, tan or brown snake that can reach up to seven feet in length.” (National Park Service)
Eastern milksnake 24 to 52 inches (Alabama); TN gives 24 to 36 inches for eastern and 21 to 28 for red milksnake.
How to recognize it
Eastern milksnake: black-and-white checkerboard belly (Ohio). Western milksnake in Louisiana: underside dull white with scattered black marks.
Eastern milksnake: a light Y- or V-shaped mark is usually present on the nape
Smooth, shiny scales and round pupils
What the sources say
Venom: “Coral snakes can easily be confused with non-venomous milk snakes because of their similar banding patterns.” (New Mexico Poison & Drug Information Center)
Venom: “Coral Snakes are often confused with the non-venomous New Mexico milk snake because they have similar banding patterns.” (New Mexico Poison & Drug Information Center)
Venom: “Among the non-venomous snakes are the Chihuahuan hook-nosed snake, Trans-Pecos ratsnake, and mountain patch-nosed snake.” (National Park Service)
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Size
Most adults are 14 to 33 inches long (Florida Museum), with a record of 46 inches. Maryland, Missouri, Tennessee and Arkansas give 22 to 32 inches. The tail is long and thin, about a third or more of the total length.
How to recognize it
Keeled (ridged) scales in 17 rows, which feel rough; the smooth green snake has smooth scales.
State NM: Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) 2025
What the sources say
Venom: “Among the non-venomous snakes are the Chihuahuan hook-nosed snake, Trans-Pecos ratsnake, and mountain patch-nosed snake.” (National Park Service)
Photo: Yellowstone National Park · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Wandering Gartersnake
Thamnophis elegans
Not stated
Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Venom: “Among the non-venomous snakes are the Chihuahuan hook-nosed snake, Trans-Pecos ratsnake, and mountain patch-nosed snake.” (National Park Service)
TWRA: the racer lacks the coachwhip's reddish tint along the sides of the tail; an all-black coachwhip is distinctly lighter or reddish toward the rear. Oklahoma: the coachwhip is much larger.
Rough green snake or Eastern yellow-bellied racer (some populations)?
Oklahoma: some central and western Oklahoma populations of the eastern yellow-bellied racer can look green. Rough greensnakes have distinctly keeled scales; racers have smooth scales.
Gopher snake (gophersnake) or Glossy snake?
Photo: National Park Service from USA · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Bullsnakes lack a rattle but copy rattlesnake color and back pattern, and can hiss and shake the tail. In dry brush that can sound like a buzzing rattlesnake. National Park Service
Rattlesnakes rarely attack unless provoked; give snakes room and stay on trails. National Park Service
How to report
Dangerous wildlife encounter: contact the nearest NMDOW conservation officer (Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; enforcement contacts map at https://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/enforcement/law-enforcement-contact-information/), otherwise State Police dispatch. Suspected New World screwworm in game animals: NMDOW 888-248-6866. New Mexico Department of Wildlife
What official sources say
Are there venomous snakes in New Mexico?
Yes. The NM Poison Center says the state has two types of venomous snakes, rattlesnakes and the coral snake, and that rattlesnakes are the most common. New Mexico Poison & Drug Information Center
“The two types of venomous snakes in New Mexico are the rattlesnake and the coral snake.”
Are there coral snakes in New Mexico?
Yes. The western coral snake occurs in the far southwest of the state. College of ACES
“The western coral snake (Microroides euryxanthus) is found in extreme southwestern Catron County and western Hidalgo and Grant counties.”
Living With Wildlife. New Mexico Department of Wildlife (formerly New Mexico Department of Game and Fish). page modified 2026-10-26; checked November 3, 2026.Quoted passages (1)
“In the event of a dangerous encounter, please reach out to your nearest Department conservation officer during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.).”
“Some harmless snakes (such as king snakes and coachwhips) eat other snakes, including poisonous ones.”
“Some non-poisonous snakes, such as bull snakes, coachwhips and rat snakes, behave like rattlesnakes when confronted.”
“Although coral snakes rarely bite, their venom is highly poisonous, so they should not be handled.”
“The western coral snake (Microroides euryxanthus) is found in extreme southwestern Catron County and western Hidalgo and Grant counties.”
Bites and Stings. New Mexico Poison & Drug Information Center (UNM Health Sciences; New Mexico's poison-control program). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.Quoted passages (4)
“Coral Snakes are often confused with the non-venomous New Mexico milk snake because they have similar banding patterns.”
“The two types of venomous snakes in New Mexico are the rattlesnake and the coral snake.”
“Do not try to capture or handle a venomous snake.”
“Snake season is usually April through October in New Mexico, when snakes come out of their winter dens to hunt for food and water.”
“Bull snakes are not venomous and do not have rattles on the end of their tail.”
“Black-tailed rattlesnakes are sometimes seen along the trail sunning themselves in the summer. Watch your step so you don't disturb these venomous snakes.”
“…western diamondback rattlesnakes (Crotalus atrox) are one of the venomous species of snake at El Malpais.”
“Prairie rattlesnakes are also venomous to people and pets”
“Often confused with rattlesnakes, bullsnakes lack a rattle.”
“Although prairie rattlesnakes are smaller than western diamondback rattlesnakes, prairie rattlesnake coloration is similar with a range of green to brown with a series of brown or black blotches. No black and white striping is present at the base of the rattle.”
“Many different types of rattlesnakes live in New Mexico, including: prairie, western diamondback, black-tailed, rock, ridgenose, massasauga and Mojave.”
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