Best Time to See Centipedes in Alaska
May, June and July is the best time to see centipedes in Alaska. Based on 221 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when centipedes are most active across the year in Alaska.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 22, 2026.
Strigamia bothriopus · Judy Gallagher CC BY-SA
Common Desert Centipede · Public domain CC0
Common Desert Centipede · Evrytte Carlson CC BY
221 verified observations of centipedes in Alaska, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When centipedes are recorded in Alaska
Peak month
May
35 records (15.8% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 4 | 1.8% |
| February | 4 | 1.8% |
| March | 18 | 8.1% |
| April | 17 | 7.7% |
| Maypeak | 35 | 15.8% |
| Junepeak | 30 | 13.6% |
| Julypeak | 29 | 13.1% |
| August | 29 | 13.1% |
| September | 24 | 10.9% |
| October | 22 | 10% |
| November | 6 | 2.7% |
| December | 3 | 1.4% |
Centipedes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Bothropolys | 18 |
| Brown Centipede | 9 |
| Thorn-tailed Bark Centipede | 5 |
| Common Schendyla | 2 |
| Garden Lithobius | 2 |
| Strigamia chionophila | 2 |
| Henicopidae | 1 |
| Geophilus alaskanus | 1 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Alaska
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when centipedes are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for centipedes sit around 41 to 69 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 20°F | 11°F | 1.8" |
| Feb | 24°F | 14°F | 2.4" |
| Mar | 33°F | 19°F | 1.7" |
| Apr | 44°F | 27°F | 1.3" |
| Maybest time | 58°F | 41°F | 1.8" |
| Junbest time | 67°F | 50°F | 1.2" |
| Julbest time | 69°F | 54°F | 3.5" |
| Aug | 66°F | 52°F | 4.5" |
| Sep | 55°F | 43°F | 5.2" |
| Oct | 42°F | 32°F | 3.7" |
| Nov | 27°F | 18°F | 3.6" |
| Dec | 22°F | 12°F | 3.1" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Alaska. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of centipedes in Alaska peak in May, when 35 of the year's 221 verified observations are logged — about 15.8% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, June and July.
The quietest stretch is December, January and February, when centipedes are hardest to find — December sees just 3 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The centipedes you are most likely to encounter in Alaska are Bothropolys, Brown Centipede and Thorn-tailed Bark Centipede — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.
Where to go
Best places to see centipedes in Alaska
- Alagnak Wild River — Wild River
- Aleutian Islands World War II National Historic Area — National Historic Area
- Aniakchak National Monument & Preserve — National Monument & Preserve
- Bering Land Bridge National Preserve — National Preserve
- Cape Krusenstern National Monument — National Monument
- Denali National Park & Preserve — National Park & Preserve
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see centipedes in Alaska?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, June and July, based on 221 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are centipedes hardest to see in Alaska?+
December is the quietest month for centipedes in Alaska, with only 3 verified records.
Are centipedes active year-round in Alaska?+
Centipedes are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Alaska, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in May.
More places to see centipedes
More wildlife in Alaska