With a warm weather that last all through the year, New Mexico has become the home of at least 50 types of snakes. In fact, it will not be uncommon to encounter a snake in your own yard. Fortunately, the usual snakes that will end up in your property will be harmless. However, this does not necessarily mean that you will never encounter a venomous snake. In case you don’t know how to determine the venomous from a non-venomous snake, it is advisable to stay away from them.



Venomous and Non-Venomous Snakes in New Mexico
You should never try to handle a wild snake unless you have an experience in identifying the animal. Snakes are important in keeping the balance of the ecosystem of New Mexico. It is such a shame that the harmless snakes will be killed believing that they pose a threat against human lives.

Venomous Snakes
While this may not be a complete list of the Albuquerque snakes that you will find in New Mexico, this will still give you a hint on the most common snakes that you may encounter when you visit the state. Here are some of the venomous snakes that you must be wary about.

Western Diamondback Rattlesnake- This is the most common venomous snake in New Mexico. Encounter with them is highly possible if your house is located close to the desert area. Their rattling tail has a stripe of white and black. The coloration of this snake may range from grey to brown. They will have a close resemblance to their cousin Mojave rattlesnake, but this will be a bit smaller that can measure at about 3.5-4 ft.

Speckled Rattlesnake-Another variant of rattlesnake that live on hillsides and rocky areas. They can usually be found in the South Mountain and the surrounding valley. Their color can highly vary. Their pattern will be loosely banded.

Sonoran Coral Snake-This is a rarely seen venomous snake in New Mexico. Perhaps this is because they live mostly on the desert areas and will generally stay in their burrow. They are small and will usually measure at below 2ft.

Non-Venomous Snakes
Most Albuquerque snakes will not carry venom, but they can still bite if handled inappropriately. They are shy creatures that will flee once they have been disturbed by movement.

Sonoran Gopher Snake- This is a huge snake that is found in various parts of New Mexico. It can also thrive in the urban areas. They can impersonate the rattling and hissing of the rattlesnake. They are harmless but their bite will still be painful.

Desert Night Snake- It is relatively common to see this snake in the desert trails, under the debris, sheds, and inside your garage. They are nocturnal creatures; therefore, encountering them during the day is very unlikely.

California Kingsnake- With their contrasting black and white band, identifying this snake is easy. Since they will eat snakes even the venomous ones, it is beneficial to have them in your home.

If you encounter a snake in your yard and you want it to be removed, never deal with the situation personally. Snake removal should only be done by people who have experience and equipment.

Visit our Albuquerque wildlife removal home page to learn more about us.