Centipedes in California
How to recognize them
Tiger centipede Scolopendra polymorpha
- Tan to orange body with dark bands on each segment
- 21 pairs of legs
- Fast, hides under rocks by day
We list the large centipedes and the house centipede. Many small centipedes live in every state and are harmless to people.
Counties with records
- None recorded
- 1 species
- 2
- 3 to 4
- 5 or more
Active months
Rare records
- Rare records Vietnamese centipede 1 open record
Harmless large centipedes people mistake for them
Questions
How many large centipedes are in California?
1 species live in the state: Tiger centipede.
Which large centipedes in California are dangerous?
None of them is considered medically significant for most people. Stings and bites hurt, and allergic reactions are possible.
When are large centipedes most active in California?
Most open records fall in January to May.
More for California
- All venomous animals in California
- Venomous snakes in California
- Venomous spiders in California
- Scorpions in California