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Porcellio Haasi "High Yellow" are among the few terrestrial isopods that reach an impressive sizes as adults with large males reaching 1 to 1.25 inches in length. Males are easily distinguishable having much longer uropods than the females. This species is typically on the shy side and you won't see them out in the open moving about like other isopod species. But once their numbers are up they will be a bit more bold to show themselves periodically. They spend much of their times on the undersides of cork bark, rotting wood and thick leaf litter. Be aware that males are very territorial and your enclosure should have ample space along with multiple hides to minimize conflicts and stress. The bright yellow coloration of these individuals is a line bred trait selectively isolated and is a breath taking sight to see in real life. Originating from the mountainous areas of Spain, these titan sized isopods prefer a drier habitat but still need a damp area to rehydrate from time to time. Quick Facts Origin: Spain Scientific Name: Porcellio Haasi Family: Porcellionidae Morph Name: High Yellow Size: Up to 1.25 inches Activity level: Generally reclusive Difficulty: Intermediate

Give your Porcellio Haasi Bright isopod set up the ideal finishing touch with our premium isopod bin labels! They measure 6 inches long by 2.5 inches in height and are enclosed in a sturdy 5 mil thick laminate sheet locking out dust and moisture. They include basic care details including, temperature range, moisture gradient, humidity and activity levels. They also include a few fun educational facts adding that perfect finishing touch. The label you receive will NOT include the red watermark text.

Porcellio Hoffmanseggi is nearly the largest land isopod that exists today. Bested in size only by it's cousin Porcellio Magnificus. Hoffmannseggi isopods are sometimes referred to as "titans" and once you've handled one it's easy to see why. Their antennae can be just as long if not longer than their body length. The standard common variety in terms of color is a light to medium gray. But this "chocolate" version is the result of a genetic mutation that slightly affects certain pigments resulting in coloration ranging from light to dark browns. The young are most often a dark brown and lighten with age. They have a nice white edged skirt giving them a pleasant visual contrast. Full grown males on average reach 1.5 inches with females only slightly smaller. With that said, they need generous space. Males can be territorial and an off balance ratio of males to females can result in fighting along with the females being "harassed" which causes stress and other potential issues. A sterilite gasket sealed bin or glass tank measuring at least 18-24 long by 12 or more inches wide is ideal for a starter colony with some room to grow. 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. The preferred temperature range for P. Hoffmanseggi is 68-76F. Moisture gradient and ventilation is where the potential challenging aspect of this species comes into play. They do best in a drier set up than most typical isopods but still need a moist area or two to avoid desiccating. If your set up is large enough, a few different areas that vary in this way can be beneficial. Such as having two separate moist corners and some dry area in between. They will often migrate between moist and dry areas at different times of the day to facilitate their biological processes as needed. A second layer of needs that further makes them a little more involved is that they need medium to high ventilation. This is easiest achieved with an enclosure that has some level of height up and away from the substrate. In the areas that are to be moist, the substrate can be a bit deeper which in turn retains humidity longer. A few pieces of cork bark strategically placed over some of the moist side will also help retain the humidity levels and reduce the frequency of watering needed to maintain a proper moisture gradient. They also seem to appreciate some stacked cork bark which gives them another dimension to regulate their moisture needs by climbing higher away from the substrate. 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. Being a Porcellio, they do appreciate some protein occasionally 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. It should also be noted it's highly recommended to have some form of calcium available at all times. As these unique isopods naturally occur in the limestone caves of eastern Spain, they spend all of their lives in such environments and the closer your set up can mimic their natural surroundings, the better your chance of success. Hoffs are a rewarding species to keep and never fail to impress with their sheer size. Though they are mostly hidden by day, if you look in on them after the lights have been out for a short time, you will see them fully out and about foraging for food and exploring their surroundings.  Hoffs do require a little more care and upkeep than some other types but watching your own colony of titans grow and flourish is well worth the effort! Quick Facts Origin: Spain Taxonomy: Porcellionidae > Porcellio > P. Hoffmannseggii Size: Up to 1.50 inches Activity level: Primarily nocturnal Difficulty: Intermediate

Porcellio Hoffmanseggi is nearly the largest land isopod that exists today. Bested in size only by it's cousin Porcellio Magnificus. Hoffmannseggi isopods are sometimes referred to as "titans" and once you've handled one it's easy to see why. Their antennae can be just as long if not longer than their body length. They are generally a light to medium gray with a nice white edged skirt giving them good visual contrast. Full grown males on average reach 1.5 inches with females only slightly smaller. With that said, they need generous space. Males can be territorial and an off balance ratio of males to females can result in fighting along with the females being "harassed" which causes stress and other potential issues. A sterilite gasket sealed bin or glass tank measuring at least 18-24 long by 12 or more inches wide is ideal for a starter colony with some room to grow. 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. The preferred temperature range for P. Hoffmanseggi is 68-76F. Moisture gradient and ventilation is where the potential challenging aspect of this species comes into play. They do best in a drier set up than most typical isopods but still need a moist area or two to avoid desiccating. If your set up is large enough, a few different areas that vary in this way can be beneficial. Such as having two separate moist corners and some dry area in between. They will often migrate between moist and dry areas at different times of the day to facilitate their biological processes as needed. A second layer of needs that further makes them a little more involved is that they need medium to high ventilation. This is easiest achieved with an enclosure that has some level of height up and away from the substrate. In the areas that are to be moist, the substrate can be a bit deeper which in turn retains humidity longer. A few pieces of cork bark strategically placed over some of the moist side will also help retain the humidity levels and reduce the frequency of watering needed to maintain a proper moisture gradient. They also seem to appreciate some stacked cork bark which gives them another dimension to regulate their moisture needs by climbing higher away from the substrate. 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. Being a Porcellio, they do appreciate some protein occasionally 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. It should also be noted it's highly recommended to have some form of calcium available at all times. As these unique isopods naturally occur in the limestone caves of eastern Spain, they spend all of their lives in such environments and the closer your set up can mimic their natural surroundings, the better your chance of success. Hoffs are a rewarding species to keep and never fail to impress with their sheer size. Though they are mostly hidden by day, if you look in on them after the lights have been out for a short time, you will see them fully out and about foraging for food and exploring their surroundings. There are some color variants in the hobby like chocolate, albino and even an orange version! Hoffs do require a little more care and upkeep than some other types but watching your own colony of titans grow and flourish is well worth the effort! Quick Facts Origin: Spain Taxonomy: Porcellionidae > Porcellio > P. Hoffmannseggii Size: Up to 1.50 inches Activity level: Primarily nocturnal Difficulty: Intermediate

Give your Porcellio Laevis Dairy Cow isopod set up the ideal finishing touch with our premium isopod bin labels! They measure 6 inches long by 2.5 inches in height and are enclosed in a sturdy 5 mil thick laminate sheet locking out dust and moisture. They include basic care details including, temperature range, moisture gradient, humidity and activity levels. They also include a few fun educational facts adding that perfect finishing touch. The label you receive will NOT include the red watermark text.

Porcellio Laevis Orange is the orange mutation of the well known Dairy Cow. However this version is solid orange. Porcellio Laevis is likely the most nearly "bullet proof" isopod in the hobby today. If you are just getting your feet wet and perhaps have some reservations, this is the species fort you! Like all isopods, they do have some minimum basic care needs, but beyond that so long as you provide these things they will thrive and reproduce rapidly once settled in their new enclosure. P. Laevis is also ideal for use as feeders if you have pets that eat insects like crickets. They are daytime active and very bold. Even taking food directly from your hand with no hesitation when they're hungry!  A 6 quart gasket sealed storage bin or small glass aquarium is sufficient for a small starter culture. Be aware that they will outgrow this much sooner than other isopods so it's not a bad idea to start with a larger set up if you can. 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 in the mid 70sF will suit them just fine. Slightly warmer is desirable if you wish to see a thriving culture that is active and reproduces faster. A standard moisture gradient with around 30-40% of one side moist (not wet) with the remainder tapering off is adequate. Note though even the driest section should still have a nominal amount of moisture in it. They will not fare well if the entire enclosure becomes too dry. They will often migrate between moist and dry areas at different times of the day to self regulate as needed. A few pieces of cork bark strategically placed over some of the moist side will help retain the humidity levels and reduce the frequency of watering needed to maintain a proper moisture gradient. This hardy isopod will eat all of the typical food options like various vegetables, powdered isopod diets like Repashy Morning Wood, Bug Burger and others. But like most Porcellio, they are very fond of protein based foods like freeze dried minnows, shrimp pellets, fish flakes and dried insects. Remember that isopods in their natural elements are detrivores. Their primary diet is decayed wood and dried leaf litter which should always be available. Overall Porcellio Laevis Orange is a very low maintenance isopod that only needs 3 basic things to survive. Average moisture/humidity, food, and steady average room temperatures. Remember to be prepared once they start reproducing. You will need to either upgrade the enclosure size, use as feeders if applicable or sell/give away to friends or other interested parties. If they get too cramped this can lead to cannibalism and a total crash of the colony due to stress and ammonia build up. Quick Facts Origin: Europe & Northern Africa Family Classification: Porcellionidae > Porcellio > P. Laevis Average Size: 0.70" inch Activity level: Active both day & night Difficulty: Easy

Give your Porcellio Laevis Orange isopod set up the ideal finishing touch with our premium isopod bin labels! They measure 6 inches long by 2.5 inches in height and are enclosed in a sturdy 5 mil thick laminate sheet locking out dust and moisture. They include basic care details including, temperature range, moisture gradient, humidity and activity levels. They also include a few fun educational facts adding that perfect finishing touch. The label you receive will NOT include the red watermark text.

Give your Porcellio Ornatus Chocolate High Yellow isopod set up the ideal finishing touch with our premium isopod bin labels! They measure 6 inches long by 2.5 inches in height and are enclosed in a sturdy 5 mil thick laminate sheet locking out dust and moisture. They include basic care details including, temperature range, moisture gradient, humidity and activity levels. They also include a few fun educational facts adding that perfect finishing touch. The label you receive will NOT include the red watermark text.

Porcellio Ornatus Witch's Brew Is a beautifully patterned isopod. The common name "Witch's Brew" is a subtle nod to its distant cousin the "Magic Potion" Isopod (Armadillidium Vulgare). They have the same orange yellow splotching on a translucent white base. This coloring is not as pronounced on mancae and younger individuals, but will start to show with sizes from sub adult to adult. Set up and care for this species is similar to that of other large Porcellio Isopods.   Porcellio Ornatus Witch's Brew does have a few specific care requirements that set it apart from most other typical isopods. They need a sharp moisture gradient with good section of their environment with very minimal moisture to completely dry. Like any isopod, they still need a moist area to hydrate their gills, but this should not be more than 25% of the enclosure. A "middle area" where it's not damp as the moist area, but not completely dry is fine. Natural botanicals can be used not only for decorative appeal, but also to create micro climates within the enclosure to give your isopods more choices to regulate their moisture needs. Next is ventilation. It needs to be moderate to high. This can create challenges with keeping the moist area from drying out. A deeper substrate on the moist side can help with this since deeper soil will retain moisture longer. They also seem to enjoy and benefit from some extra height in the mid range and/or dry section. This is best achieved with carefully stacked medium pieces cork bark. This impressive isopod will eat all of the typical food options like various vegetables, powdered isopod diets like Repashy Morning Wood, Bug Burger and others. But like most Porcellio, they are very fond of protein based foods like freeze dried minnows, shrimp pellets, fish flakes and dried insects. Remember that isopods in their natural elements are detrivores. Their primary diet is decayed wood and dried leaf litter which should always be available. Porcellio Ornatus Witch's Brew is at this time still relatively rare in the hobby and is a highly desirable isopod to have in any collection. Ornatus is not overly difficult to keep, but a culture can quickly crash if it's care needs are neglected for more than a very short time. But, if you give them what they need consistently, they will flourish and breed readily. Check out our care guide for Porcellio Ornatus Witch's Brew that takes a closer look at specifics for successfully keeping and breeding this designer isopod. Quick Facts Origin: Spain Family Classification: Porcellionidae > Porcellio > Ornatus Morph Name: Witch's Brew Average Size: Up to 1 inch Activity level: Daytime active but primarily nocturnal Difficulty: Intermediate

Give your Porcellio Ornatus Witch's Brew isopod set up the ideal finishing touch with our premium isopod bin labels! They measure 6 inches long by 2.5 inches in height and are enclosed in a sturdy 5 mil thick laminate sheet locking out dust and moisture. They include basic care details including, temperature range, moisture gradient, humidity and activity levels. They also include a few fun educational facts adding that perfect finishing touch. The label you receive will NOT include the red watermark text.

Porcellio Scaber "Lava" is an iconic morph that has earned it's right as "attention grabber" in the isopod hobby due to it's desirable striking appearance combined with it's ease of availability. Lava isopods along with all other Porcellio Scaber morphs are an excellent choice for beginners. They have a wide tolerance for both temperature and humidity. This convenient forgiving nature in their husbandry requirements means they can generally tolerate a moderate level of learning curves without disaster. The morph characteristics of Porcelleio Scaber "Lava" are displayed as a highly variable patterning of deep orange/red hues on a mostly gray to black base. They are very prolific and will reproduce readily if well cared for. Be aware the patterning on each and every isopod is unique. Some offspring may exhibit high levels of red/orange while others may be nearly all gray due to their unique genetic lineage. All isopods you will receive from us will exhibit a good ratio of red/orange patterns. A 6 quart gasket sealed storage bin or small glass aquarium is sufficient for a small starter culture. 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 in the mid 70sF will suit them just fine. Slightly warmer is desirable if you wish to see a thriving culture that is active and reproduces faster. This species They will often migrate between moist and dry areas at different times of the day. A few pieces of cork bark strategically placed over some of the moist side will help retain the humidity levels and reduce the frequency of watering needed to maintain a proper moisture gradient. 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. Being a Porcellio, they are especially fond of protein 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. Porcellio Scaber Lava is just one of many color morphs of this hardy isopod. Their adaptability to a wide range of humidity and ventilation needs make them a top choice for a clean up crew or a display pet. See our full care guide for Porcellio Scaber which has comprehensive expanded details for all care aspects of this amazing isopod species including breeding! Quick Facts Origin: Europe, but established nearly worldwide Family Classification: Porcellionidae > Porcellio > Porcellio Scaber Morph Name: "Lava" Variable splotches of red/orange on a gray/black base Average Size: 0.65" to 0.75" inches  Activity level: Primarily nocturnal but does show some daytime activity Care Level: Easy

Porcellio Scaber is a popular and highly utilized species for clean up crew in the terrarium. They have a wide tolerance for both temperature and humidity. This convenient forgiving nature in their husbandry requirements means they can generally tolerate a moderate level of learning curves without disaster. They are soft bodied and can also be used as a feeder for many reptiles and amphibians. There are many color morphs available to suit virtually any preference.  This particular variant called "Orange Dalmatian" comes from crossing P. Scaber Orange with P. Scaber Dalmatian. The overall appearance of Orange Dalmatian is a creamy off white base, sometimes showing a subtle orange hue.The typical gray to dark gray spotting on the regular dalmatian variant is replaced with a bright and vibrant orange! Please carefully note mancae and younger individuals are usually devoid of or only show very minimal dalmatian spotting characteristics. This is normal! Their full colors and variable patterns do not fully develop until the reach the sub adult to adult stages of their lives.  A common question we often hear is "What is the difference between Orange Dalmatian and Orange Koi?" Simply stated, the Orange Dalmatian's overall color at a glance is mostly it's base color of off white. The orange spotting and flecking amounts will vary, but the base color of off white covers a much higher amount of the surface area than the orange portions. The Orange Koi version is mostly orange with various levels of off white splotching. Same as before, the patterns and distribution of orange vs. white pigmentation will vary, but with Orange Koi, orange accounts for the bulk majority of the coloration. Caring for any variant of P. Scaber is easy. A 6 quart gasket sealed storage bin or small glass aquarium is sufficient for a small starter culture. 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 in the mid 70sF will suit them just fine. Slightly warmer is desirable if you wish to see a thriving culture that is active and reproduces faster. This species They will often migrate between moist and dry areas at different times of the day. A few pieces of cork bark strategically placed over some of the moist side will help retain the humidity levels and reduce the frequency of watering needed to maintain a proper moisture gradient. 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.  Being a Porcellio, they are especially fond of protein 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.Porcellio Scaber Orange Dalmatian is visually stunning with their bright orange spotting and flecking contrasting nicely on an off white base. They're a great all a multi purpose isopod. Whether you need a bioactive janitor, a feeder, or just want a species to enjoy that isn't high maintenance they can fill every niche from semi arid to sub tropical and look good while doing it! They are tough, hardy and reproduce frequently once established. Quick Facts Origin: Europe Classification: Porcellionidae > Porcellio > Porcellio Scaber Characteristics; Predominant off white base with various amounts of orange spotting. Highly prolific. Strong feeding response. Average Size: 0.65" to 0.75" inch Activity level: Primarily nocturnal. Some day activity normal in larger cultures. Difficulty: Easy

Porcellio Scaber "Orange Koi" is has an appealing variable pattern of that which resembles the koi fish. Porcellio Scaber and it's many color morphs are an excellent choice for beginners. They have a wide tolerance for both temperature and humidity. This convenient forgiving nature in their husbandry requirements means they can generally tolerate a moderate level of learning curves without disaster. The morph characteristics of Porcelleio Scaber "Orange Koi" are displayed as a highly variable patterning of deep orange/red hues on a mostly gray to black base. They are very prolific and will reproduce readily if well cared for. Be aware the patterning on each and every isopod is unique. Some offspring may exhibit high levels of red/orange while others may be nearly all gray due to their unique genetic lineage. All isopods you will receive from us will exhibit a good ratio of red/orange patterns. A 6 quart gasket sealed storage bin or small glass aquarium is sufficient for a small starter culture. 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 in the mid 70sF will suit them just fine. Slightly warmer is desirable if you wish to see a thriving culture that is active and reproduces faster. This species They will often migrate between moist and dry areas at different times of the day. A few pieces of cork bark strategically placed over some of the moist side will help retain the humidity levels and reduce the frequency of watering needed to maintain a proper moisture gradient. 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. Being a Porcellio, they are especially fond of protein 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. Porcellio Scaber Lava is just one of many color morphs of this hardy isopod. Their adaptability to a wide range of humidity and ventilation needs make them a top choice for a clean up crew or a display pet.  Quick Facts Origin: Europe, but established nearly worldwide Classification: Porcellionidae > Porcellio > Porcellio Scaber Morph Name: "Orange Koi" Variable patterns of light and dark orange with cream colored accents Average Size: 0.65" to 0.75" inches  Activity level: Primarily nocturnal but does show some daytime activity Care Level: Easy

Porcellio Scaber "Orange" is a readily available and common isopod in the hobby. They have a wide tolerance for both temperature and humidity. This convenient forgiving nature in their husbandry requirements means they can generally tolerate a moderate level of learning curves without disaster. There are many morphs available, but this strain is primarily orange with hues ranging from light to dark. They are soft bodied and can also be used as a feeder for many reptiles and amphibians. A 6 quart gasket sealed storage bin or small glass aquarium is sufficient for a small starter culture. 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 in the mid 70sF will suit them just fine. Slightly warmer is desirable if you wish to see a thriving culture that is active and reproduces faster. This species They will often migrate between moist and dry areas at different times of the day. A few pieces of cork bark strategically placed over some of the moist side will help retain the humidity levels and reduce the frequency of watering needed to maintain a proper moisture gradient. 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.  Being a Porcellio, they are especially fond of protein 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.Porcellio Scaber orange is an all a multi purpose isopod. Whether you need a bioactive janitor, a feeder, or just want a species to enjoy that isn't high maintenance, they can fill every niche. They are tough, hardy and reproduce frequently once established. Quick Facts Origin: Europe Classification: Porcellionidae > Porcellio > Porcellio Scaber Characteristics: Variable shades of orange. Highly prolific. Strong feeding response. Average Size: 0.65" to 0.75" inch Activity level: Primarily nocturnal. Some day activity normal in larger cultures. Difficulty: Easy

Porcellio Scaber "Skewbald Tri" is a unique isopod that has highly variable patterns and colors. Porcellio Scaber is an excellent choice for beginners. They have a wide tolerance for both temperature and humidity. This convenient forgiving nature in their husbandry requirements means they can generally tolerate a moderate level of learning curves without disaster. The Skewbald Tri isopods appearance is actually a result of intermixing two different genetic mutations together which are calico and piebald. Porcellio scaber has a substantial amount of variants far as appearance go. But to minimize any potential confusion, it's important to note no matter what the common name is for any color morph in the hobby, the actual animal itself (porcellio scaber) is the same across all types. All of those fancy catchy names are simply ways to easily distinguish the coloration and patterns for any given specimen.          So what exactly makes a Skewball Tri isopod look the way it does? The first mixing element, piebald is a recessive gene that causes lack of pigments in random sections of the animal. Usually in a splotching manner anywhere from the head area all the way to the back. The piebald effect can range from very minimal to a complete lack of all color. Next is the calico trait which is expressed as mottling in dark spots. Mottling is not large defined dots, but rather a very high frequency of smaller dots. So when we mash these two genetic traits together we get Skubald Tri! Each and every isopod is different in it's appearance, yet they all generally display the same theme with a mix of these two traits. Some are black and gray and others are reddish orange to white and numerous shades in between. One visually appealing and satisfying aspect of this morph is that these variances to some degree are separated on the pereon (the scutes or sections you see when looking at the isopod from above). Lastly it is vital to point out that the calico gene is only expressed by females. As such, any Skubald Tri isopod that has the calico pattern is 100% female. Isopods in this group that only show the piebald appearance with no mottling are more than likely going to be males. All isopods you receive from us will exhibit a good ratio of colors and patterns along with ensuring there are both males and females included so your culture can grow. For care, porcellio scaber is very easy. A 6 quart gasket sealed storage bin or small glass aquarium is sufficient for a small starter culture. 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 in the mid 70sF will suit them just fine. Slightly warmer is desirable if you wish to see a thriving culture that is active and reproduces faster. This species They will often migrate between moist and dry areas at different times of the day. A few pieces of cork bark strategically placed over some of the moist side will help retain the humidity levels and reduce the frequency of watering needed to maintain a proper moisture gradient. 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.  Being a Porcellio, they are especially fond of protein 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. Porcellio Scaber Skewbald Tri is just one of many color morphs of this hardy isopod. We have several others in our storefront and highly encourage you to check them out! This intriguing designer isopod is very adaptable to a wide range of humidity and ventilation needs make them a top choice for a clean up crew or a display pet. Quick Facts Origin: Europe Classification: Porcellionidae > Porcellio > Porcellio Scaber Characteristics: Variable patterns and colors exhibiting both piebald and calico traits. Strong feeding response. Average Size: 0.65" to 0.75" inch Activity level: Primarily nocturnal. Some day activity normal in larger cultures. Difficulty: Easy

Give your Porcellio Scaber Lava isopod set up the ideal finishing touch with our premium isopod bin labels! They measure 6 inches long by 2.5 inches in height and are enclosed in a sturdy 5 mil thick laminate sheet locking out dust and moisture. They include basic care details including, temperature range, moisture gradient, humidity and activity levels. They also include a few fun educational facts adding that perfect finishing touch. The label you receive will NOT include the red watermark text.