Best Time to See Centipedes in Arizona
August, March and July is the best time to see centipedes in Arizona. Based on 3,413 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when centipedes are most active across the year in Arizona.
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
3,413 verified observations of centipedes in Arizona, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When centipedes are recorded in Arizona
Peak month
August
452 records (13.2% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 131 | 3.8% |
| February | 196 | 5.7% |
| Marchpeak | 438 | 12.8% |
| April | 359 | 10.5% |
| May | 307 | 9% |
| June | 208 | 6.1% |
| Julypeak | 426 | 12.5% |
| Augustpeak | 452 | 13.2% |
| September | 372 | 10.9% |
| October | 290 | 8.5% |
| November | 135 | 4% |
| December | 99 | 2.9% |
Centipedes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Common Desert Centipede | 1,544 |
| Giant Desert Centipede | 705 |
| Florida Blue Centipede | 439 |
| House Centipede | 121 |
| Arizona house centipede | 76 |
| Big-leg Centipede | 54 |
| Brown Centipede | 17 |
| Gosibius | 6 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Arizona
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 39 to 91 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 52°F | 34°F | 1.9" |
| Feb | 52°F | 34°F | 1.9" |
| Marbest time | 58°F | 39°F | 2.7" |
| Apr | 71°F | 49°F | 0.2" |
| May | 77°F | 56°F | 0.3" |
| Jun | 88°F | 66°F | 0.3" |
| Julbest time | 91°F | 72°F | 2.7" |
| Augbest time | 88°F | 70°F | 2.2" |
| Sep | 84°F | 64°F | 1.4" |
| Oct | 73°F | 52°F | 0.6" |
| Nov | 63°F | 43°F | 1.5" |
| Dec | 53°F | 36°F | 2" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Arizona. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of centipedes in Arizona peak in August, when 452 of the year's 3,413 verified observations are logged — about 13.2% of the annual total. Activity stays high through August, March and July.
The quietest stretch is December, January and November, when centipedes are hardest to find — December sees just 99 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 Arizona are Common Desert Centipede, Giant Desert Centipede and Florida Blue 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 Arizona
- Chiricahua National Monument — National Monument
- Coronado National Memorial — National Memorial
- Fort Bowie National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Grand Canyon National Park — National Park
- Lake Mead National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
- Montezuma Castle National Monument — National Monument
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see centipedes in Arizona?+
August is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through August, March and July, based on 3,413 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are centipedes hardest to see in Arizona?+
December is the quietest month for centipedes in Arizona, with only 99 verified records.
Are centipedes active year-round in Arizona?+
Centipedes are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Arizona, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in August.
More wildlife in Arizona