Best Time to See Centipedes in Colorado
April, May and June is the best time to see centipedes in Colorado. Based on 1,451 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when centipedes are most active across the year in Colorado.
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
1,451 verified observations of centipedes in Colorado, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When centipedes are recorded in Colorado
Peak month
April
296 records (20.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 33 | 2.3% |
| February | 29 | 2% |
| March | 130 | 9% |
| Aprilpeak | 296 | 20.4% |
| Maypeak | 281 | 19.4% |
| Junepeak | 201 | 13.9% |
| July | 137 | 9.4% |
| August | 117 | 8.1% |
| September | 114 | 7.9% |
| October | 66 | 4.5% |
| November | 22 | 1.5% |
| December | 25 | 1.7% |
Centipedes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Brown Centipede | 338 |
| Common Desert Centipede | 197 |
| House Centipede | 180 |
| Common Schendyla | 37 |
| Common Cryptops | 21 |
| Garden Lithobius | 12 |
| Giant Desert Centipede | 10 |
| Strigamia | 9 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Colorado
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 20 to 69 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 27°F | 5°F | 0.5" |
| Feb | 27°F | 3°F | 0.9" |
| Mar | 34°F | 9°F | 1.3" |
| Aprbest time | 46°F | 20°F | 1.1" |
| Maybest time | 57°F | 31°F | 2.5" |
| Junbest time | 69°F | 42°F | 2.1" |
| Jul | 76°F | 49°F | 2.5" |
| Aug | 75°F | 48°F | 1.7" |
| Sep | 69°F | 41°F | 1.1" |
| Oct | 54°F | 27°F | 0.8" |
| Nov | 40°F | 18°F | 0.6" |
| Dec | 30°F | 10°F | 0.9" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Colorado. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of centipedes in Colorado peak in April, when 296 of the year's 1,451 verified observations are logged — about 20.4% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, May and June.
The quietest stretch is November, December and February, when centipedes are hardest to find — November sees just 22 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 Colorado are Brown Centipede, Common Desert Centipede and House 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 Colorado
- Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park — National Park
- Colorado National Monument — National Monument
- Curecanti National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
- Dinosaur National Monument — National Monument
- Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve — National Park & Preserve
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see centipedes in Colorado?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, May and June, based on 1,451 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are centipedes hardest to see in Colorado?+
November is the quietest month for centipedes in Colorado, with only 22 verified records.
Are centipedes active year-round in Colorado?+
Centipedes are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Colorado, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More wildlife in Colorado