Best Time to See Centipedes in Florida

March, December and November is the best time to see centipedes in Florida. Based on 2,941 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when centipedes are most active across the year in Florida.

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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 photographed in Florida

Strigamia bothriopus · Judy Gallagher CC BY-SA

Common Desert Centipede photographed in Florida

Common Desert Centipede · Public domain CC0

Common Desert Centipede photographed in Florida

Common Desert Centipede · Evrytte Carlson CC BY

Photos by iNaturalist observers, reused under the licence each observer chose.
Best months: March, December, November

2,941 verified observations of centipedes in Florida, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When centipedes are recorded in Florida

Peak month

March

364 records (12.4% of the year)

Quietest month

August

114 records

MonthObservationsShare
January2889.8%
February2177.4%
Marchpeak36412.4%
April29510%
May2849.7%
June1876.4%
July1394.7%
August1143.9%
September1675.7%
October2709.2%
Novemberpeak29610.1%
Decemberpeak32010.9%

Centipedes you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Minor Blueleg Centipede535
Florida Blue Centipede454
Eastern Red Centipede375
Big-leg Centipede303
Eastern Bark Centipede245
Caribbean Giant Centipede110
Brown Centipede61
Cryptops floridanus45

Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo

Typical weather in Florida

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 56 to 81 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.

MonthAvg highAvg lowRain
Jan70°F52°F1.9"
Feb76°F57°F2.3"
Marbest time81°F60°F2.3"
Apr83°F64°F4.5"
May87°F68°F4.5"
Jun88°F73°F9.3"
Jul88°F75°F9.6"
Aug89°F76°F11.1"
Sep86°F73°F11.5"
Oct82°F69°F4"
Novbest time75°F61°F4.5"
Decbest time72°F56°F3.8"

Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Florida. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.

Sightings of centipedes in Florida peak in March, when 364 of the year's 2,941 verified observations are logged — about 12.4% of the annual total. Activity stays high through March, December and November.

The quietest stretch is August, July and September, when centipedes are hardest to find — August sees just 114 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 Florida are Minor Blueleg Centipede, Florida Blue Centipede and Eastern Red 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 Florida

  • Big Cypress National PreserveNational Preserve
  • Biscayne National ParkNational Park
  • Canaveral National SeashoreNational Seashore
  • Dry Tortugas National ParkNational Park
  • Everglades National ParkNational Park
  • Gulf Islands National SeashoreNational Seashore

Frequently asked questions

What is the best month to see centipedes in Florida?+

March is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through March, December and November, based on 2,941 verified iNaturalist observations.

When are centipedes hardest to see in Florida?+

August is the quietest month for centipedes in Florida, with only 114 verified records.

Are centipedes active year-round in Florida?+

Centipedes are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Florida, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in March.