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First and foremost be aware this is a DWARF isopod species. This means it's very SMALL. Average adult size is just under 1/4 inch or 5-6 mm. If you already know this obvious fact or it's not a deal breaker then read on. Borneo Gator Isopods are an intermediate skill level species most anyone with at least some successful isopod experience can easy keep and enjoy. Their Latin name tuberculatus refers to their bumpy rough exterior. They are various shades of gray ranging from light to dark. They're nocturnal and tend to form tight clusters underneath of cork bard or decayed wood and come out at night to feed and forage.  What they lack in size is made up for in appearance. They are sometimes referred to as dinosaur isopods or ankylosaur isopods. They large bony like exterior appearance combined with a small nub like tail certainly makes them look prehistoric! They are fascinating little isopods to watch and admire.  A 6 quart gasket sealed storage bin or small glass aquarium is beyond sufficient for a small starter culture. You don't want to start off with much bigger than this unless you are getting or already have a large number of these isopods on hand. Being dwarf isopods, if they are too spread out it will take much longer for them to find each other and start reproducing. Conversely you don't want too small either as environmental changes in a very small space happen much faster which isn't a good thing for this and most other isopod types. Standard or bioactive enclosures can be enhanced with natural botanical items to simulate the isopods habitat in the wild. This helps them feel secure which in turn promotes their natural processes like eating and breeding.  Average room temperature will suit them just fine. A good temperature range is 72-78F leaning more towards the warmer end if possible. Borneo Gators do not need a pronounced moisture gradient like most other isopods. A small gradient is fine, but a consistent lightly damp (not wet) enclosure is ideal. They will not fare well if allowed to get any level of dry so allow for some ventilation. A few pieces of cork bark strategically placed over different parts of the enclosure will help retain the humidity levels and reduce the frequency of watering needed to maintain a proper moisture gradient. Keeping your substrate at least 3-4 inches deep also helps retain humidity and gives them some room to burrow if things get too dry. They will simply dig down where there is more moisture until conditions on the surface are more to their liking.  Isopods are detritivores. Their primary diet in nature is dried leaf litter and decayed wood. Both of these should always be available in abundance. They will also happily consume any other decomposing organic plant or animal matter they come across. As such it is vital to supplement your isopods with other food sources on a semi regular basis. Spiky Pineapples enjoy food options like squash, carrots, cucumbers and other veggies along with commercial isopod powdered food like Repashy Morning Wood. They also tend to be protein hungry so offer them things like freeze dried minnows, shrimp, fish pellets, dried insects and other protein based food sources. Be sure to feed these on the drier side as they can spoil quickly in humid environments and attract unwanted pests. Supplemental calcium is recommended as well. This can be in the form of crushed pellets they can nibble or small light weight stones they can crawl on and hide under. In our experience either will work, but our pods seem to enjoy Texas holy rock. Some cuttle bone pieces are always a welcome treat as well. Borneo Gator isopods are ubnique and intruiging if you can appreciate and admire the smaller things in life. Please do remeber these little guys and gals are small! They're not extremely difficult like some Cubaris, but they do require a little bit more upkeep and monitoring to ensure their environment stays optimal. Their dinosaur like appearance keeps this isopod popular in the hobby. Quick Facts Origin: Borneo island in southeast Asia Classification: Cristarmadillidium > Reductoniscus Tuberculatus Average Size:Just under 1/4" inch max Activity level: Primarily nocturnal Care Level: Intermediate

Sinodillo Sp. is a unique captivating isopod with a dark base ranging from navy blue to black with a fiery red colored head and skirt. The red coloring sometimes traverses the entire outer carapace in the form of random spotting and/or small lines. For isopods they move extremely fast! They will quickly scatter to hide when exposed and best observed at night when they are naturally active. They are somewhat petite maxing in size at around 1/2 inch but exceptional individuals can grow slightly larger from time to time. They are native China and parts of Vietnam. They are not overly difficult to care for and are relatively easy to culture with good consistent care. A starter group of 10-15 individuals can be kept in a small enclosure like a 6qt storage bin or small glass tank. Natural botanicals are a great way to decorate your enclosure in a way that mimics the isopods natural habitat. They are also fond of concave cork bark which they can often be found huddled up in small groups. Average room temperatures are suitable, but some keepers report they thrive in slightly cooler temperatures. A standard moisture gradient works well but avoid things getting too dry as they are sensitive to arid conditions. Isopods have evolved to be detrivores with their primary diet being decayed organic matter. In the wild this is largely things like soft rotting wood and dried leaf litter along with any other deceased plant or animal they might stumble upon. Supplemental vegetables items like carrots, squash, potatoes and similar are readily accepted. Commercial powdered isopod diets like Repashy Morning Wood are also highly recommended. A serving or two of protein each week is appreciated and devoured. Fish pellets, freeze dried shrimp or minnows are just a few types these isopods will eat without hesitation. These fascinating isopods make an excellent addition to any collection. Especially if you want something a bit less run of the mill. Being in the Armadillidae genus, they will roll into a ball (conglobate) when they are frightened or feel threatened. Their gorgeous coloration and unique patterns never get old to admire.  Quick Facts Origin: Native to South China and parts of Vietnam Classification: Armadillidae > Sinodillo > Vietnam Average Size: 0.45" to .50" inch Care Level: Intermediate

The Troglodillo isopod genus has some amazing little gems and is an all around unique isopod. They are somewhat flat overall and have a face similar to the coveted Rubber Ducky adding to their appeal. Their body structure is sturdy with well defined segments. Almost like a little compact tank! Troglodillo Sp. Soil was previously defined in taxonomy as a "Cubaris", but this has since been revised. T. Soil is an intriguing isopod getting it's name from the various earth tone colors it displays consisting of light and dark grays along with shades of brown and a touch dark purple on some individuals. The exact shades and transitions of color are variable but overall each one resembles a work of art you'll never get tired of admiring. To top it off they have bright white contrasting legs and antennae! Thankfully these not so main stream isopods are not extensively difficult to keep, but they do have a few specific needs you'll want to ensure you adhere to so they can thrive. For housing 6 quart gasket sealed storage bin or small glass aquarium with tight fitting lid is sufficient for a small starter culture of 10-15 individuals. Standard or bioactive enclosures can be enhanced with natural botanical items to simulate the isopods habitat in the wild. This helps them feel secure which in turn promotes their natural processes like eating and breeding. Soil isopods are largely cave dwellers originating from Thailand and Vietnam. They need a sub tropical to tropical environment with slightly higher temps and humidity than your average isopod. High 70s to low 80s F is their comfort zone. Small deviations in temperature are not detrimental, but do whatever you need based on your enclosure set up to avoid large swings in either direction. A small moisture gradient with 70% moist and the remainder no less than slightly dry seems to work well for them. The substrate should be mostly moist but not soggy! Just ensure neither side gets anywhere remotely close to dry. A few pieces of cork bark strategically placed will help retain the humidity levels and reduce the frequency of watering needed to maintain a reasonably consistent environment. Isopods are detritivores. Their primary diet in nature is leaf litter and decayed wood. Both of these should always be available in abundance. They will also happily consume any other decomposing organic plant or animal matter they come across. As such it is vital to supplement your isopods with other food sources on a semi regular basis. They enjoy food options like squash, radishes, carrots and other veggies along with commercial isopod powdered food like Repashy. They also need some occasional protein in their diets which can be things like freeze dried minnows, shrimp, fish pellets, dried insects and other protein based food sources. Be sure to feed these on the drier side as they can spoil quickly in humid environments and attract unwanted pests. Provide them a steady source of cuttlebone for calcium. Ours are also provided small chunks of Texas holy rock which they seem to gravitate towards since it very closely mimics the caves they frequent in their native habitat. Do consider these isopods are shy and tend to stay largely hidden during daylight hours, only coming out at night to feed and forage. This is the best time to observe them as they do not enjoy being exposed and will scatter quickly if disturbed. If you're looking for an isopod that's unique, not overly difficult and can also serve as a valuable clean up crew, Troglodillo Soil is a worthy option! Quick Facts Origin: Thailand and Vietnam Classification: Armadillidiidae > Troglodillo > Soil Average Size: 1/2" to 3/4" inch Activity level: Primarily nocturnal. Shy and reclusive Difficulty: Intermediate

The Troglodillo isopod genus has some amazing little gems still fairly rare to the hobby at this time. These isopods are somewhat flat overall and have a face similar to the coveted Rubber Ducky adding to their appeal. Their body structure is sturdy with well defined segments. Almost like a little compact tank! Troglodillo Sp. Sunset was previously defined in taxonomy as "Cubaris Sunset Queen", but this has since been revised. T. Sunset is a fascinating isopod being largely orange in several different hues per specimen ranging in shades from bright to average. They have nice contrasting brown coloring more so evident on the rear section. The exact shades and transitions of color are variable but overall each one resembles a work of art you'll never get tired of admiring. Thankfully these not so main stream isopods are not extensively difficult to keep, but they do have a few specific needs you'll want to ensure you adhere to so they can thrive. For housing 6 quart gasket sealed storage bin or small glass aquarium with tight fitting lid is sufficient for a small starter culture of 10-15 individuals. Standard or bioactive enclosures can be enhanced with natural botanical items to simulate the isopods habitat in the wild. This helps them feel secure which in turn promotes their natural processes like eating and breeding. Sunset isopods are largely cave dwellers originating from Thailand. They need a sub tropical to tropical environment with slightly higher temps and humidity than your average isopod. High 70s to low 80s F is their comfort zone. Small deviations in temperature are not detrimental, but do whatever you need based on your enclosure set up to avoid large swings in either direction. A small moisture gradient with 70% moist and the remainder no less than slightly dry seems to work well for them. The soil should be mostly moist but not soggy! Just ensure neither side gets anywhere remotely close to dry. A few pieces of cork bark strategically placed will help retain the humidity levels and reduce the frequency of watering needed to maintain a reasonably consistent environment. Isopods are detritivores. Their primary diet in nature is leaf litter and decayed wood. Both of these should always be available in abundance. They will also happily consume any other decomposing organic plant or animal matter they come across. As such it is vital to supplement your isopods with other food sources on a semi regular basis. They enjoy food options like squash, radishes, carrots and other veggies along with commercial isopod powdered food like Repashy. They also need some occasional protein in their diets which can be things like freeze dried minnows, shrimp, fish pellets, dried insects and other protein based food sources. Be sure to feed these on the drier side as they can spoil quickly in humid environments and attract unwanted pests. Provide them a steady source of cuttlebone for calcium. Ours are also provided small chunks of Texas holy rock which they seem to gravitate towards since it very closely mimics the caves they frequent in their native habitat. If you are looking for an isopod that's unique, not overly difficult and has exceptional visual appeal then the Troglodillo Sunset is for you! Quick Facts Origin: Thailand Classification: Armadillidiidae > Troglodillo > Sunset Average Size: 1/2" to 3/4" inch Activity level: Primarily nocturnal. Some daytime activity is normal with large cultures. Difficulty: Intermediate