Snakes in Dona Ana County

• 
  Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake

  Crotalus atrox

  ▲ Venomous

  Heavy body, broad triangular head, vertical (cat-like) pupils, and a segmented keratin rattle at the tail tip.

• 
  Prairie Rattlesnake

  Crotalus viridis

  ▲ Venomous

  Heavy body, broad triangular head, vertical (cat-like) pupils, and a segmented keratin rattle at the tail tip.

• 
  Eastern Black-tailed Rattlesnake

  Crotalus ornatus

  ▲ Venomous

  Heavy body, broad triangular head, vertical (cat-like) pupils, and a segmented keratin rattle at the tail tip.

• 
  Rock Rattlesnake

  Crotalus lepidus

  ▲ Venomous

  Heavy body, broad triangular head, vertical (cat-like) pupils, and a segmented keratin rattle at the tail tip.

• 
  Western Black-tailed Rattlesnake

  Crotalus molossus

  ▲ Venomous

  Heavy body, broad triangular head, vertical (cat-like) pupils, and a segmented keratin rattle at the tail tip.

• 
  Western Massasauga

  Sistrurus tergeminus

  ▲ Venomous

  Stout, dark-blotched body, nine large scales on the crown, and a small rattle.

• 
  Eastern Massasauga

  Sistrurus catenatus

  ▲ Venomous

  Stout, dark-blotched body, nine large scales on the crown, and a small rattle.

Every snake recorded in Dona Ana County

Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake

Crotalus atrox

▲ Venomous

Gopher Snake

Pituophis catenifer

Harmless

Prairie Rattlesnake

Crotalus viridis

▲ Venomous

Glossy Snake

Arizona elegans

Harmless

Common Coachwhip

Masticophis flagellum

Harmless

Eastern Black-tailed Rattlesnake

Crotalus ornatus

▲ Venomous

Rock Rattlesnake

Crotalus lepidus

▲ Venomous

Striped Whipsnake

Masticophis taeniatus

Harmless

Long-nosed Snake

Rhinocheilus lecontei

Harmless

Western Black-tailed Rattlesnake

Crotalus molossus

▲ Venomous

Checkered Garter Snake

Thamnophis marcianus

Harmless

Desert Kingsnake

Lampropeltis splendida

Harmless

Black-necked Garter Snake

Thamnophis cyrtopsis

Harmless

Eastern Kingsnake

Lampropeltis getula

Harmless

Ground Snake

Sonora semiannulata

Harmless

Plains Black-headed Snake

Tantilla nigriceps

Harmless

Chihuahuan Nightsnake

Hypsiglena jani

Harmless

Pine Snake

Pituophis melanoleucus

Harmless

Common Garter Snake

Thamnophis sirtalis

Harmless

Trans-pecos Ratsnake

Bogertophis subocularis

Harmless

Western Threadsnake

Rena humilis

Harmless

Ring-necked Snake

Diadophis punctatus

Harmless

Mexican Hognose Snake

Heterodon kennerlyi

Harmless

Texas Lyre Snake

Trimorphodon vilkinsonii

Harmless

Texas Blind Snake

Rena dulcis

Harmless

Plains Hognose Snake

Heterodon nasicus

Harmless

Chihuahuan Hook-nosed Snake

Gyalopion canum

Harmless

Trans-Pecos Blindsnake

Rena segrega

Harmless

Western Massasauga

Sistrurus tergeminus

▲ Venomous

Red Cornsnake

Pantherophis guttatus

Harmless

Western Patch-nosed Snake

Salvadora hexalepis

Harmless

Western Milksnake

Lampropeltis gentilis

Harmless

Coast Night Snake

Hypsiglena ochrorhynchus

Harmless

Western Terrestrial Garter Snake

Thamnophis elegans

Harmless

Smooth Greensnake

Opheodrys vernalis

Harmless

Great Plains Ratsnake

Pantherophis emoryi

Harmless

Eastern Massasauga

Sistrurus catenatus

▲ Venomous

Southwestern Blackhead Snake

Tantilla hobartsmithi

Harmless

Compiled from verified GBIF & iNaturalist observations. Informational only.

Snakes in Dona Ana County: FAQ

Are there venomous snakes in Dona Ana County, New Mexico?

Yes. 7 venomous snake species have verified records in Dona Ana County, New Mexico, including Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake, Prairie Rattlesnake, Eastern Black-tailed Rattlesnake, Rock Rattlesnake. Most snakes in Dona Ana County, New Mexico, however, are harmless.

How many snake species live in Dona Ana County, New Mexico?

30+ snake species have verified records in Dona Ana County, New Mexico, of which 7 are venomous.

What is the most commonly seen snake in Dona Ana County, New Mexico?

The Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake is the most frequently reported snake in Dona Ana County, New Mexico, based on verified wildlife observations.

What should I do if I see a venomous snake in Dona Ana County, New Mexico?

Keep your distance and do not try to catch or kill it. Most bites happen when people handle or corner a snake. If someone is bitten, contact local emergency services or poison control immediately.

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