A stunning black and white-striped or spotted isopod that can reproduce quickly once established. They are a robust, gorgeous isopod species that prefer a slightly drier terrarium environment. They are often just kept as pets due to their bold coloring and tendency to stay out in the open. Our starter colonies consist of 6 isopods of various ages. To keep your isopods happy long-term you’ll need:
- A moisture gradient, i.e. a relatively dry spot and a relatively damp spot which allows them to regulate their moisture
- A food source (decomposing plant matter including leaves and wood)
- Places to hide (leaf litter or bark for them to hide under)
- Occasional calcium supplement (crushed eggshell, cuttlebones)
Isopods are crustaceans and are primary decomposers, turning leaves and wood into accessible nutrients for your plants. When deprived of food for long enough they have been known to snack on foliage, so its important to keep your isopods well-fed. They can be a food source for vivarium inhabitants and will overall enhance your enclosed ecosystem!