Isopods

  • Are isopods high in fat?

    The nutritional content of isopods is less studied than that of other feeder insects, but based on the information available, isopods have slightly lower fat content than feeder crickets.
  • Can isopods be used as staple feeders?

    If you have a healthy rotation of staple feeders, isopods can likely be used as up to 30-50% of your pet's total intake of protein. Monitor your pet for signs of upset stomach, illness, and nutritional deficiencies. Always consult with a trusted reptile veterinarian before drastically changing yo...
  • Can my pet eat isopods?

    Yes! Isopods can be a healthy part of a varied diet for many insectivorous pets, including bearded dragons and leopard geckos. Hobbyists who keep dart frogs and micro geckos love using isopods to add nutritional variation to their standard flightless fruit fly diet. Considering how widespread an...
  • Do isopods bite?

    Terrestrial isopods aren't capable of biting humans. Some hobbyists have reported their larger isopods attempting to chew on small, thin-skinned amphibians and invertebrates while looking for a high-protein snack. This isn't a common issue. If you're concerned, you can add fish flakes or freeze-d...
  • How big do isopods get?

    There are many different species of isopods, and they attain drastically different sizes. For example, the deep-sea giant isopod (Bathynomus giganteus) can grow up to 20" long. On the other end of the spectrum, aquatic isopods from the taxonomic family Microcerberidae are as small as 300 microme...
  • How do I house/store my isopods?

    Luckily, isopods aren't very picky when it comes to housing. You want a container that has some ventilation but holds humidity well. Here are some ideas: Acrylic display box Exo Terra faunarium Tupperware container Washed ice cream tub Exo Terra breeding box Plastic shoe storage box Glass or acr...
  • How long do isopods live?

    Most isopod species have an average lifespan of about 2 years, but some may live for up to 5 years.
  • What are calico isopods?

    Similar to calico cats, calico isopods are mottled with black and orange. They're one of many color variations of Porcellio scaber, the common rough woodlouse, also known as the roly-poly. Common rough woodlice are temperate species. They can subsist in a wide range of living conditions. They d...
  • What are candy crush isopods?

    Candy crush isopods are a natural color variation of a widespread isopod called the Plum Woodlouse (Porcellionides pruinosus). They’re a mixture of slate blue and rusty-orange with a powdery white “coating.” Candy crush isopods are prolific and one of the hardiest isopods cultivated in captivity...
  • What are Costa Rican dwarf purple isopods?

    Costa Rican dwarf purple isopods (Trichoniscidae sp.) are micro-isopods that prefer tropical climates. They're the only readily-available isopod that's smaller than dwarf whites! While they aren't exactly as bright and bold as an aubergine, their deep grey-purple hue can offer some welcomed co...
  • What are dairy cow isopods?

    Dairy cow isopods are a special color and pattern variation of the swift woodlouse (Porcellio laevis). The standard wild-type swift woodlouse is a dull blue-grey, but dairy cow isopods are white with irregular black splotches - like a Holstein dairy cow! Scientists believe the swift woodlouse ori...
  • What are dalmatian isopods?

    Different vendors refer to several different types of isopods as dalmatian isopods, but the dalmatian isopods we offer are common rough woodlice (Porcellio scaber) with the dalmatian spotting gene. They're pretty similar to dairy cow isopods, but they're a different (related) species, and they ...
  • What are dwarf white isopods?

    Dwarf white isopods are a small isopod species (Trichorhina tomentosa) native to the Galapagos Islands and other tropical zones within the Americas. They're grayish-white and about 1/3rd the size of most other common isopods in the hobby. They reproduce parthenogenetically, so all dwarf white ...
  • What are giant canyon isopods?

    Giant canyon isopods (Porcellio dilatatus) are HUGE isopods native to Europe. They're pretty plain (albeit prehistoric)-looking and spend most of their time entirely underground. As you may be able to infer, giant canyon isopods aren't too popular as display critters or pets. What giant canyon...
  • What are granulated isopods?

    Granulated isopods (Armadillidium granulatum) are your standard, gray, roly-poly type of isopod - with some yellow speckling for flare. They're native to Spain. They do well in lower humidity ranges than most other isopods, making them great candidates for bio-active desert set-ups. They're no...
  • What are Japanese magic potion isopods?

    Japanese magic potion isopods are a rare but natural color variation of the common pillbug or roly-poly (Armadillidium vulgare). That means they’re probably the same species as the gray sowbugs you find in your backyard! This specific variety is native to the Mediterranean region. Japanese mag...
  • What are lottery ticket isopods?

    Lottery ticket isopods are various natural color variations of the Porcellio scaber species. Isopods in the lottery ticket mixture may be orange, blue, white, and/or patterned. Common rough woodlice are temperate species. They can subsist in a wide range of living conditions. They do well in low...
  • What are panda king isopods?

    Panda king isopods are a type of woodlouse in the genus Cubaris. They inhabit the damp, dark caves of Vietnam. Cubaris have a lower reproduction rate and a longer life span than other common isopods in the hobby. The good news is that panda kings are still one of the most prolific Cubaris isopod...
  • What are powder blue isopods?

    Powder blue isopods are a natural color variation of a widespread isopod called the Plum Woodlouse (Porcellionides pruinosus). They’re grayish-blue with a powdery white “coating” to their color. Powder blue isopods are prolific and one of the hardiest isopods cultivated in captivity. They make a...
  • What are powder orange isopods?

    Powder orange isopods are a natural color variation of a widespread isopod called the Plum Woodlouse (Porcellionides pruinosus). They’re rusty-orange with a powdery white “coating” to their color. Powder orange isopods are prolific and one of the hardiest isopods cultivated in captivity. They ma...
  • What can I use as substrate for my isopods?

    You can go as complex or as simple as you'd like to with your isopods' substrate. If you use an organic, nutrient-rich mixture, you won't have to feed them as often because they'll live off the decaying matter. If you use something simpler, like coconut fiber, you'll need to feed them every coupl...
  • What do I do if I receive the wrong order?

    If you receive the wrong item, shoot us a message with your order number, the item you received, and the item you were supposed to receive. We do our best to avoid mix-ups, but mistakes still happen on occasion, and we'll be happy to send you a replacement.
  • What do I do if my order arrives dead?

    We make every effort to ensure that your order arrives alive, which is why we also include a few extra to compensate for any losses. However, we can't always guarantee the weather or how the postal service will treat your package. If your order arrives dead, please send us a photo of the dead wax...
  • What do isopods eat?

    Isopods are detritivores. They eat dead and decaying organic material - mostly plant matter. Some isopod species need or prefer more protein (i.e., animal products) than others. When you're culturing isopods in captivity, they can eat: Substrate Compost, vermicompost, leaf litter, decaying wood,...