Best Time to See Centipedes in California
April, March and February is the best time to see centipedes in California. Based on 23,219 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when centipedes are most active across the year in California.
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
23,219 verified observations of centipedes in California, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When centipedes are recorded in California
Peak month
April
3,806 records (16.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 2,360 | 10.2% |
| Februarypeak | 2,533 | 10.9% |
| Marchpeak | 3,357 | 14.5% |
| Aprilpeak | 3,806 | 16.4% |
| May | 2,459 | 10.6% |
| June | 1,474 | 6.3% |
| July | 1,066 | 4.6% |
| August | 784 | 3.4% |
| September | 823 | 3.5% |
| October | 1,147 | 4.9% |
| November | 1,557 | 6.7% |
| December | 1,853 | 8% |
Centipedes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Common Desert Centipede | 4,151 |
| House Centipede | 3,304 |
| Western Fire Centipede | 1,209 |
| Thorn-tailed Bark Centipede | 939 |
| Brown Centipede | 307 |
| Pseudolithobius megaloporus | 177 |
| Theatops californiensis | 162 |
| Dicellophilus limatus | 137 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in California
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 30 to 66 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 53°F | 31°F | 5.6" |
| Febbest time | 53°F | 30°F | 4.4" |
| Marbest time | 55°F | 33°F | 7.3" |
| Aprbest time | 66°F | 40°F | 1.8" |
| May | 73°F | 46°F | 1.6" |
| Jun | 84°F | 55°F | 0.2" |
| Jul | 94°F | 62°F | 0" |
| Aug | 93°F | 62°F | 0.3" |
| Sep | 85°F | 57°F | 0.8" |
| Oct | 73°F | 46°F | 1.2" |
| Nov | 61°F | 36°F | 2.3" |
| Dec | 53°F | 33°F | 7.8" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for California. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of centipedes in California peak in April, when 3,806 of the year's 23,219 verified observations are logged — about 16.4% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, March and February.
The quietest stretch is August, September and July, when centipedes are hardest to find — August sees just 784 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 California are Common Desert Centipede, House Centipede and Western Fire 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 California
- Alcatraz Island
- Cabrillo National Monument — National Monument
- Channel Islands National Park — National Park
- Death Valley National Park — National Park
- Devils Postpile National Monument — National Monument
- Golden Gate National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see centipedes in California?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, March and February, based on 23,219 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are centipedes hardest to see in California?+
August is the quietest month for centipedes in California, with only 784 verified records.
Are centipedes active year-round in California?+
Centipedes are recorded in 12 of 12 months in California, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More wildlife in California