Best Time to See Centipedes in New Mexico
September, July and August is the best time to see centipedes in New Mexico. Based on 1,267 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when centipedes are most active across the year in New Mexico.
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
1,267 verified observations of centipedes in New Mexico, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When centipedes are recorded in New Mexico
Peak month
September
201 records (15.9% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 13 | 1% |
| February | 24 | 1.9% |
| March | 73 | 5.8% |
| April | 126 | 9.9% |
| May | 141 | 11.1% |
| June | 154 | 12.2% |
| Julypeak | 177 | 14% |
| Augustpeak | 174 | 13.7% |
| Septemberpeak | 201 | 15.9% |
| October | 134 | 10.6% |
| November | 37 | 2.9% |
| December | 13 | 1% |
Centipedes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Common Desert Centipede | 626 |
| Giant Desert Centipede | 146 |
| House Centipede | 123 |
| Florida Blue Centipede | 57 |
| Arthrorhabdus pygmaeus | 28 |
| Brown Centipede | 25 |
| Arizona house centipede | 8 |
| Garden Lithobius | 7 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in New Mexico
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 57 to 87 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 44°F | 26°F | 0.6" |
| Feb | 47°F | 26°F | 0.8" |
| Mar | 57°F | 34°F | 1" |
| Apr | 68°F | 42°F | 0.4" |
| May | 76°F | 51°F | 0.5" |
| Jun | 84°F | 60°F | 1.1" |
| Julbest time | 87°F | 65°F | 1" |
| Augbest time | 84°F | 63°F | 1.2" |
| Sepbest time | 79°F | 57°F | 0.9" |
| Oct | 67°F | 44°F | 0.9" |
| Nov | 56°F | 35°F | 0.7" |
| Dec | 47°F | 29°F | 0.6" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for New Mexico. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of centipedes in New Mexico peak in September, when 201 of the year's 1,267 verified observations are logged — about 15.9% of the annual total. Activity stays high through September, July and August.
The quietest stretch is January and December, when centipedes are hardest to find — January sees just 13 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 New Mexico are Common Desert Centipede, Giant 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 New Mexico
- Bandelier National Monument — National Monument
- Capulin Volcano National Monument — National Monument
- Carlsbad Caverns National Park — National Park
- El Malpais National Monument — National Monument
- El Morro National Monument — National Monument
- Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument — National Monument
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see centipedes in New Mexico?+
September is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through September, July and August, based on 1,267 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are centipedes hardest to see in New Mexico?+
January is the quietest month for centipedes in New Mexico, with only 13 verified records.
Are centipedes active year-round in New Mexico?+
Centipedes are recorded in 12 of 12 months in New Mexico, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in September.
More places to see centipedes
More wildlife in New Mexico