Venomous animals in New Mexico
The ones that need the most respect: western diamondback rattlesnake, western rattlesnake, prairie rattlesnake, Mojave rattlesnake. A bite from any of them is a medical emergency.
- 7 dangerous
- 5 medically significant
- 4 painful, rarely serious
Where they turn up in New Mexico
- None recorded
- 1 species
- 2
- 3 to 4
- 5 or more
Venomous snakes in New Mexico
Western diamondback rattlesnakeDangerous1,364 records, 26 counties
Western rattlesnakeDangerous6 records, 3 counties
Prairie rattlesnakeDangerous1,360 records, 32 counties
Mojave rattlesnakeDangerous334 records, 4 counties
Black-tailed rattlesnakeDangerous434 records, 15 counties
Rock rattlesnakeDangerous271 records, 9 counties
Ridge-nosed rattlesnakeDangerous23 records, 1 county
Western massasaugaMedically significant34 records, 8 counties
Sonoran coral snakeMedically significant7 records, 2 counties
Venomous snakes in New Mexico: map, photos and look-alikes
Venomous spiders in New Mexico
Black widowMedically significant192 records, 29 counties
TarantulaPainful, rarely serious126 records, 22 counties
Venomous spiders in New Mexico: map, photos and look-alikes
Scorpions in New Mexico
Arizona bark scorpionMedically significant7 records, 3 counties
Striped bark scorpionPainful, rarely serious50 records, 14 counties
Scorpions in New Mexico: map, photos and look-alikes
Centipedes in New Mexico
Tiger centipedePainful, rarely serious44 records, 14 counties
Giant desert centipedePainful, rarely serious10 records, 2 counties
Centipedes in New Mexico: map, photos and look-alikes
Venomous lizards in New Mexico
When they are out
- Venomous snakes
- Venomous spiders
- Scorpions
- Centipedes
- Venomous lizards
Recorded, but not living here
- Rare records Speckled rattlesnake 2 open records, latest 1991
- Rare records Texas coral snake 1 open record
- Rare records Tiger rattlesnake 2 open records
- Rare records Brown recluse 2 open records, latest 2006
- Rare records Desert recluse 2 open records, latest 1971
- Rare records Brown widow 1 open record
A rare record means someone found or reported the animal once or a few times, but there is no known population. Many are strays, pets or hitchhikers in cargo.
Harmless look-alikes in New Mexico
- Black Widow vs False Widow False widow is harmless
- Rattlesnake vs Gopher Snake Gopher snake is harmless
Quick answers for New Mexico
- Lives here Rattlesnakes
- Lives here Coral snakes
- Rare records Brown recluses
- Lives here Black widows
- Lives here Tarantulas
- Lives here Gila monsters
Questions
How many venomous snakes live in New Mexico?
9 species: Western diamondback rattlesnake, Western rattlesnake, Prairie rattlesnake, Mojave rattlesnake, Black-tailed rattlesnake, Rock rattlesnake, Ridge-nosed rattlesnake, Western massasauga and Sonoran coral snake.
Are there brown recluse spiders in New Mexico?
Only as rare records. GBIF holds 2 open records of the brown recluse from New Mexico, the latest from 2006, but there is no known population.
Are there scorpions in New Mexico?
Yes: Arizona bark scorpion and Striped bark scorpion.
When are venomous animals most active in New Mexico?
Most open records from New Mexico fall in July to September. Records follow when people are outdoors too, so treat this as a guide, not a rule.
What should I do after a bite or sting?
Call 911 for any venomous snakebite or a severe reaction. For spider bites and scorpion stings, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222, free and open 24/7.