Armadillidium Isopods

The zebra isopod, Armadillidium Maculatum is a fan favorite in the isopod hobby. Who couldn't love bold zebra stripes on such a tiny creature?! Native to southern France, this adorable little crustacean is hardy and very easy to care for. It's attractive appearance, outgoing nature and ease of keeping combined with it's overall reasonable price point make it a top choice for beginners.  Building your own thriving culture of A. Maculatum isopods is easy. A starter group of 12-20 individuals can be kept in a small enclosure like a 6qt storage bin or small glass tank. Slightly above average room temperature of 75-82F is their comfort zone, but they will also do just fine in slightly cooler temperatures. An average moisture gradient is acceptable. Zebras can withstand somewhat drier conditions better than most isopods, but ensure they always have a moist area to rehydrate their gills. All typical isopod foods are readily accepted. Mixed veggies like carrots, squash, radishes and similar are good. Commercial powdered isopod diets like Repashy are highly recommended and ours here at our facility absolutely relish it! A serving or two of protein each week is also very beneficial. Fish pellets, freeze dried shrimp or minnows are widely available and work fine. Armadillidium Maculatum is daytime active and quite bold. Especially once their numbers increase. They make an excellent clean up crew if used in a bioactive, but be aware all Armadillidium isopods have a reputation for eating live plants. They make a fantastic display isopod for any age or experience level. See our full care guide for Armadillidium Maculatum which expands much deeper into all aspects of keeping and breeding this classic show off isopod.  Quick Facts Origin: Southern France and Mediterranean Areas Classification: Armadillidiidae > Armadillidium > A. Maculatum Average Size: 1/2" to 3/4" inch Activity level: Daytime active and outgoing Morph Type: N/A Known Morphs: High Yellow, Chocolate, High White, Spotted

This color morph of the classic common black and white striped zebra isopod has the black stripes replaced with various shades of brown giving them a festive and unique appearance. Native to southern France, this adorable little crustacean is hardy and very easy to care for. It's attractive appearance, outgoing nature and ease of keeping combined with it's overall reasonable price point make it a top choice for beginners.  Building your own thriving culture of A. Maculatum isopods is easy. A starter group of 12-20 individuals can be kept in a small enclosure like a 6qt storage bin or small glass tank. Slightly above average room temperature of 75-82F is their comfort zone, but they will also do just fine in slightly cooler temperatures. An average moisture gradient is acceptable. Zebras can withstand somewhat drier conditions better than most isopods, but ensure they always have a moist area to rehydrate their gills. All typical isopod foods are readily accepted. Mixed veggies like carrots, squash, radishes and similar are good. Commercial powdered isopod diets like Repashy are highly recommended and ours here at our facility absolutely relish it! A serving or two of protein each week is also very beneficial. Fish pellets, freeze dried shrimp or minnows are widely available and work fine. Armadillidium Maculatum is daytime active and quite bold. Especially once their numbers increase. They make an excellent clean up crew if used in a bioactive, but be aware all Armadillidium isopods have a reputation for eating live plants. They make a fantastic display isopod for any age or experience level. See our full care guide for Armadillidium Maculatum which expands much deeper into all aspects of keeping and breeding this classic show off isopod.  Quick Facts Origin: Southern France and Mediterranean Areas Classification: Armadillidiidae > Armadillidium > A. Maculatum Average Size: 1/2" to 3/4" inch Activity level: Daytime active and outgoing Morph Type: Chocolate

The Yellow Zebra isopod, Armadillidium Maculatum is a stunning morph derived from the classic black and white striped zebra isopod. Who couldn't love bold zebra stripes on such a tiny creature?! Native to southern France, this adorable little crustacean is hardy and very easy to care for. It's attractive appearance, outgoing nature and ease of keeping combined with it's overall reasonable price point make it a top choice for beginners.  Building your own thriving culture of A. Maculatum isopods is easy. A starter group of 12-20 individuals can be kept in a small enclosure like a 6qt storage bin or small glass tank. Slightly above average room temperature of 75-82F is their comfort zone, but they will also do just fine in slightly cooler temperatures. An average moisture gradient is acceptable. Zebras can withstand somewhat drier conditions better than most isopods, but ensure they always have a moist area to rehydrate their gills. All typical isopod foods are readily accepted. Mixed veggies like carrots, squash, radishes and similar are good. Commercial powdered isopod diets like Repashy are highly recommended and ours here at our facility absolutely relish it! A serving or two of protein each week is also very beneficial. Fish pellets, freeze dried shrimp or minnows are widely available and work fine. Armadillidium Maculatum is daytime active and quite bold. Especially once their numbers increase. They make an excellent clean up crew if used in a bioactive, but be aware all Armadillidium isopods have a reputation for eating live plants. They make a fantastic display isopod for any age or experience level. See our full care guide for Armadillidium Maculatum "Yellow Zebra" which expands much deeper into all aspects of keeping and breeding this classic show off isopod.  Quick Facts Origin: Southern France and Mediterranean Areas Classification: Armadillidiidae > Armadillidium > A. Maculatum Average Size: 1/2" to 3/4" inch Activity level: Daytime active and outgoing Morph Type: Yellow Known Morphs: Yellow, Chocolate, High White, Spotted

Armadillidium Klugii "Montenegro" is one of the very few visually stunning isopods widely available and generally very affordable. They are characterized by a bright red skirt that surrounds a dark brown to black base color. They have 3 rows of dots, usually a mix of white and yellow that extend the full length of the pereon section. They are modestly sizeable and somewhat shy and reclusive being most active at night. A 6 quart gasket sealed storage bin or small glass aquarium is sufficient for a small starter culture of these beauties. 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 but their optimal range is at slightly elevated temperatures of 74-79F. This species prefers a sharp moisture gradient with 1/3 up to 1/2 of the enclosure being lightly damp and the rest dry to bone dry. They will not fair well if all of the enclosure is damp or wet. 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. 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.  While this showy terrestrial crustacean is not overly difficult to keep, a culture can crash rather quickly if their specific care needs like moisture gradient, ventilation, and protein based foods are not consistently adhered to. They are typically on the slow side to reproduce. But once established they will be very prolific on a regular basis. They are among the few isopods that can survive and do well in a semi arid environment making them ideal for bioactive set ups of this type. See our full care guide for Armadillidium Klugii "Montenegro" which has comprehensive expanded details for all care aspects of this interesting isopod species! Quick Facts Origin: Balkan coast lines and areas between Croatia through Montenegro Classification: Armadillidiidae > Armadillidium > A. Klugii  Average Size: 1/2" to 3/4" inch Activity level: Somewhat day active with peak activity at night Morph/Locality Type: Montenegro  Known Morphs/Localities : Montenegro Orange, Pudding, Dubrovnik

Armadillidium Klugii "Orange Montenegro" is a gorgeous color morph isolated from selective breeding efforts of the standard Montenegro line. Instead of a dark base color with red skirting, these festive clown isopods are vibrant orange with the same spotting as a traditional Montenegro isopod. The shade of orange can vary between individuals somewhat with older specimens gradually changing to a deeper orange hue. This strain is highly desirable and sought out by many collectors and hobbyist.  Average room temperature will suit them just fine but their optimal range is at slightly elevated temperatures of 74-79F. This species prefers a sharp moisture gradient with 1/3 up to 1/2 of the enclosure being lightly damp and the rest dry to bone dry. They will not fair well if all of the enclosure is damp or wet. They enjoy all of the classic isopod food fares like squash, carrots and other veggies along with any commercial isopod powdered food like Repashy. They also benefit from protein in the form of freeze dried minnows, shrimp, fish pellets, fish flakes 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.  While this unique terrestrial crustacean is not overly difficult to keep, a culture can crash rather quickly if their specific care needs like moisture gradient, ventilation, and protein based foods are not consistently adhered to. They are typically on the slow side to reproduce. But once established they will be very prolific on a regular basis. They are among the few isopods that can survive and do well in a semi arid environment making them ideal for bioactive set ups of this type. See our full care guide for Armadillidium Klugii "Montenegro Orange" which has comprehensive expanded details for all care aspects of this interesting isopod species! Quick Facts Origin: Balkan coast lines and areas between Croatia through Montenegro Classification: Armadillidiidae > Armadillidium > A. Klugii  Average Size: 1/2" to 3/4" inch Activity level: Somewhat day active with peak activity at night Morph Type: Orange Morph Characteristics: Various hues of orange ranging from bright to dark

Armadillidium Klugii "Pudding" is another popular color morph in the Klugii family that originates from the Montenegro locale. It distinguishes itself from it's other counterparts by lacking the red skirt on it's sides. The base color ranges from light to dark brown and the classic 3 rows of spots that run down their segments can be yellow, white or a mix of both. These colorful clown isopods have a somewhat shy disposition but will become more bold as numbers increase. Clown isopods are possibly the most readily accessible and widely affordable isopods available in the hobby that have bright, vivid variable coloring that rivals some of the more exotic and high priced isopods like those in the Merulanella family. Their fun almost clown like polka dot spotting along with their endearing nature makes them a must have for any collection.  Average room temperature will suit them just fine but they are noted to thrive better at slightly elevated temperatures of 74-79F. This species prefers a sharp moisture gradient with 1/3 up to 1/2 of the enclosure being lightly damp and the rest dry to bone dry. They will not fair well if all of the enclosure is damp or wet. They enjoy all of the classic isopod food fares like squash, carrots and other veggies along with any commercial isopod powdered food like Repashy. However, they greatly benefit from protein in the form of freeze dried minnows, shrimp, fish pellets, fish flakes 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.  While this unique terrestrial crustacean is not overly difficult to keep, a culture can crash rather quickly if their specific care needs like moisture gradient, ventilation, and protein based foods are not consistently adhered to. They are typically on the slow side to reproduce. But once established they will be very prolific on a regular basis. See our full care guide for Armadillidium Klugii "Pudding" which has comprehensive expanded details for all care aspects of this interesting isopod species! Quick Facts Origin: Mediterranean areas including India, and central to north Africa  Scientific Name: Armadillidium Klugii Morph Name: Pudding Characteristics: A mutation of the Montenegro line that lacks the red skirt Size: Around 0.5 inch on average Activity level: Generally reclusive but more bold with high numbers

One of the more "showy" isopods available in the hobby, the Japanese Magic Potion is an ideal choice for those who want something aesthetically pleasing to look at in terms of a clean up crew! Not only is this isopod a great janitor, but their variable splotchy coloration is far from the standard drab grey, brown and blacks you see on most wild types. Armadillidium Vulgare is a very common isopod species and the one most people are referring to when the iconic term "pill bug" or "roly poly". They are native to Europe, most notably in the Mediterranean basin area but have established themselves nearly worldwide. They are a beginner friendly species being fairly flexible in their needs and tolerant of a variety of environmental conditions. Armadillidium Vulgare is a relatively outgoing isopod that can be seen exploring and moving about their enclosure at various times. As with most isopods, higher numbers means higher visibility. A 6 quart gasket sealed storage bin or small glass aquarium is sufficient for a small starter culture of these beauties. 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 around the mid 70sF will suit them just fine. A. Vulgare prefers a temperate climate with good ventilation. Around one third to half of the enclosure should have damp (not wet) sphagnum moss with the remainder being a bit on the dry side, but not completely devoid of some moisture.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. 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 Armadillidium Vulgare "Japanese Magic Potion" is an easy species to keep and is fairly forgiving with the learning curves of new keepers or the occasional memory lapse. A. Vulgare has many other color morphs and locales worth checking out if you like this species and want a variety of colors.  For a closer look at the aspects of keeping this visually appealing isopod including breeding, see our "Armadillidium Japanese Magic Potion Care Guide" which has comprehensive expanded details for all care aspects of this must have isopod! Quick Facts Origin: Mediterranean Europe Scientific Name: Armadillidium Vulgare Morph Name: Japanese Magic Potion Characteristics: Random yellow splotching with black dots on a translucent white base.  Size: Average is around 0.5 inches with large adults reaching 0.70 inches Activity level: Generally outgoing and daytime active

Armadillidium Vulgare is one of the most readily available isopods in the hobby that has numerous color morphs and localities. They range all over the color spectrum from plain Jane gray to several different bright and vibrant colors. The albinos however always pack that extra "WOW" factor and these little gems do not disappoint! A. Vulgare has two albino variations: T positive and T negative. But what does that even mean and what is the difference?! As you might imagine it does get rather technical in the science and genetics categories. But we'll keep it surface level as possible here for the obvious fact you didn't come to a shopping site for a long boring college lecture (you're welcome). The "T" is an abbreviation for an enzyme called Tyrosinase which plays a key role in the development of melanin in every living creature. Melanin of course translating to pigmentation or color. It does this by acting as a crucial rate limiting step in this much deeper molecular process. Simply stated, more amounts of tyrosinase will produce more melanin resulting in darker pigmentation.  T Positive is a condition in which tyrosinase is present, but has reduced activity in comparison in how it works in a non albino specimen of the same species. T Negative means the tyrosinase enzyme is completely absent or non functional. How does this translate to isopods? The T Positive strain is expressed with a slightly semi translucent caramel base with ultra bright yellow flecking and splotching. They are absolutely gorgeous and have to be seen in person to truly and fully appreciate! The T negative variant is devoid of all pigments which makes them primarily white or cream colored. For clarification purposes, neither variant has red eyes! The red eye color associated with albinism is a result of ambient light shining through a non pigmented eye which illuminates the blood vessels thus making the eyes appear red. But isopods like most other invertebrates do NOT have blood. They have a colorless protein that delivers nutrients to their bodies in the same manner. Hence, T positive isopods will have dark colored eyes and T negative will have white eyes. Armadillidium Vulgare is a very common isopod species and the one most people are referring to with the iconic term "pill bug" or "roly poly". They are native to Europe, most notably in the Mediterranean basin area but have established themselves nearly worldwide. They are a beginner friendly species being fairly flexible in their needs and tolerant to a variety of environmental conditions. A. Vulgare is a relatively outgoing isopod that can be seen exploring and moving about their enclosure at various times both day and night. As with most isopods, higher numbers means higher overall visibility. A 6 quart gasket sealed storage bin or small glass aquarium is sufficient for a small starter culture of these beauties. 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 around the mid 70sF will suit them just fine. A. Vulgare prefers a temperate climate with good ventilation. Around one third to half of the enclosure should have damp (not wet) sphagnum moss with the remainder being a bit on the dry side, but not completely devoid of some moisture.They will often migrate between moist and dry areas at different times of the day to facilitate their biological processes 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. 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, cucumbers, 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 pestsArmadillidium Vulgare T Positive Albino is an easy species to keep and is fairly forgiving with the learning curves of new keepers or the occasional memory lapse. Their vivid colors combined with their partial daytime active disposition makes them an ideal candidate for a display isopod if that is your desire. A. Vulgare has many other color morphs and locales worth checking out if you like this species and want a variety of colors. If you're curious about the T Negative Albino strain mentioned in the "educational section", yes we have those too! See our store front for many other fascinating and unique isopods! Quick Facts Origin: Mediterranean Europe Classification:  Armadillidiidae > Armadillidium > A. Vulgare Characteristics: Semi translucent caramel base with ultra bright yellow flecking and splotching Size: 1/2" to 3/4" inch Activity level: Active both day and night Difficulty: Easy

Armadillidium Vulgare Punta Cana are a specific locale of isopods from the Dominican Republic. They are characterized by their largely caramel and earthy color tones. These colors come in many types including gold, orange, brown, gray and many shades in between. Individuals can also have splotching, stripes or speckles. Armadillidium Vulgare is a common isopod in the hobby these days and within the same class most people are referring to with the iconic term "pill bug" or "roly poly" since this species can conglobate or roll up into a ball. They are a beginner friendly species being fairly flexible in their needs and tolerant of a variety of environmental conditions. Armadillidium Vulgrare is a relatively outgoing isopod that can be seen exploring and moving about their enclosure at various times both day and night. A small or starter colony may be more reclusive, but if well cared for it won't take long for them to multiply and be more bold to move around in daylight. 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 around the mid 70sF will suit them just fine. A. Vulgare Punta Cana prefers a temperate climate with good ventilation. Around one third to half of the enclosure should have damp (not wet) sphagnum moss with the remainder being a bit on the dry side, but not completely devoid of some moisture. 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. 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. Please also note as with most Armadillidium, this species has a reputation for eating live plants so consider this if they are to be used in any type of planted vivarium or terrarium. Punta Cana isopods make an excellent clean up crew and offer a wide range of natural colors. They are easy to care for and a pleasure to watch as they scurry about and forage for food. Their fairly adaptable nature makes them ideal for a variety of enclosures from semi arid to temperate. If you're new to isopods or just want something that has numerous colors and patterns instead of one consistent theme, this is the isopod for you! Visit our store front to see our fantastic selection of isopods! Rare or common, chances are we have it. Quick Facts Origin: Europe and Asia Classification: Armadillidiidae > Armadillidium > A. Vulgare Characteristics: Variable colors mostly caramel base with some random striping and splotching Average Size: 1/2" to 3/4" inch Activity level: Active both day and night Difficulty: Easy

St. Lucia Isopods, also sometimes referred to as "Jelly Bean" isopods in the hobby are a must have if a display isopod is high on your list. It's easy to see where the common name jelly bean came from. This version of Armadillidium Vulgare has an assortment of bright vivid colors including various hues of orange, yellow, gold, light pinks and deep red along with some wild type colors ranging from gray to almost black. Even better, this genetic morph also has other variations within those colors such as defined segmented stripes, dalmatian patterns and some with infused gold metallic splotching. It should be noted all of these colors and characteristics can and do vary with each and every individual. Intensity and frequency of colors and patterns are all over the chart. The offspring will also come out the same variety of colors regardless of the coloration of the parents. Armadillidium Vulgare is a very common isopod species and the one most people are referring to when the iconic term "pill bug" or "roly poly". They are native to Europe, most notably in the Mediterranean basin area but have established themselves nearly worldwide. They are a beginner friendly species being fairly flexible in their needs and tolerant of a variety of environmental conditions. Armadillidium Vulgare is a relatively outgoing isopod that can be seen exploring and moving about their enclosure at various times. As with most isopods, higher numbers means higher visibility. A 6 quart gasket sealed storage bin or small glass aquarium is sufficient for a small starter culture of these beauties. 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 around the mid 70sF will suit them just fine. A. Vulgare prefers a temperate climate with good ventilation. Around one third to half of the enclosure should have damp (not wet) sphagnum moss with the remainder being a bit on the dry side, but not completely devoid of some moisture. 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. 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. While this isopod is also a great bio custodian, it should be noted they have a reputation for munching on live plants as well. We can attest to this after trying several times to have various small plants in the enclosure with all being completely consumed in a few days or less.Armadillidium Vulgare "Saint Lucia" is an easy species to keep and is fairly forgiving with the learning curves of new keepers or the occasional memory lapse. Their visually appealing variety of colors combined with the fact they are modestly day active instead of hiding the bulk majority of the time means this is an isopod you can actually enjoy and appreciate all hours of the day or night. See our store front for many other fascinating and unique isopods! Quick Facts Origin: Mediterranean Europe Classification: Armadillidiidae > Armadillidium > A. Vulgare Characteristics: Various mix of bright colors ranging from orange, red, yellow, gray, black and more! They also have a mix of striping, splotching, and some with metallic sheens. Average Size: 1/" tp 3/4" inch Activity level: Active both day and night Difficulty: Easy

The Tangerine morph of A. Vulgare was isolated from the Punta Cana line by selective breeding efforts of dedicated hobbyist. Tangerine isopods are born a bright and vibrant orange, but will deepen over time. As adults they are a deep almost burnt orange sometimes bordering red on very mature individuals.  Armadillidium Vulgare is a very common isopod species and the one most people are referring to when the iconic term "pill bug" is mentioned. They are native to Europe, most notably in the Mediterranean basin area but have established themselves nearly worldwide. They are a beginner friendly species being fairly flexible in their needs and tolerant of a variety of environmental conditions. Armadillidium Vulgare is a relatively outgoing isopod that can be seen exploring and moving about their enclosure at various times. As with most isopods, higher numbers means higher visibility. Average room temperature is fine for this species. A. Vulgare prefers a temperate climate with good ventilation. Around one third to half of the enclosure should have damp (not wet) sphagnum moss with the remainder being a bit on the dry side, but not completely devoid of some moisture. Their primary diet is dried leaf litter and soft decayed wood which should always be available in abundance. They should also be offered some fresh vegetables like squash, carrots, cucumbers and other veggies 1-2 times a week. Other supplemental options such as commercial isopod powdered food like Repashy are also devoured with enthusiasm. Tangerine isopods also need some protein in their diets. Options like freeze dried minnows, shrimp, fish pellets, fish flakes and other protein based food sources work well. Be sure to feed these on the drier side as they can spoil quickly in humid environments and attract unwanted pests.  All in all Armadillidium Vulgare is an easy species to keep and is fairly forgiving with the learning curves of new keepers or the occasional memory lapse. The Tangerine morph is just one of many exciting color options these fascinating little isopods come in. See our full care guide for Armadillidium Vulgare "Tangerine" which has comprehensive expanded details for all care aspects of this desirable isopod species! Quick Facts Origin: Mediterranean Europe Scientific Name: Armadillidium Vulgare Morph Name: Tangerine Characteristics: Young are bright orange and adults are deep to dark orange Size: Average is around 0.5 inches with large adults reaching 0.70 inches Activity level: Generally outgoing and daytime active

Armadillidium Granulatum, is among the largest in the Armadilidium genus capable of reaching sizes of up to 0.75 inch. Rivaling that of A. Gestroi. They actually are quite similar to A. Gestroi but with a few key differences. They have a matte finish look on their pereon and pleon vs having a glossy finish. A. Granulatum's yellow markings are also not quite as bright and vibrant as A. Gestrio. Please do note A. Granulatum's yellow spotting varies from individual to individual. Some have quite striking yellow markings and some are more subdued. Some will have yellow markings that are only faint and minimal. This is normal for the species. A close up view with a magnifying glass will show they have small raised bumps along their backside giving them a somewhat rough texture. This feature gives them another common which is the "Granulated Isopod". Armadillidium Granulatum is a common isopod in the hobby these days and within the same class most people are referring to with the iconic term "pill bug" or "roly poly" since this species can conglobate or roll up into a ball. They are native to most of Europe, and Northern Africa as well. They are a beginner friendly species being fairly flexible in their needs and tolerant of a variety of environmental conditions. Armadillidium Granulatum is a relatively outgoing isopod when present in high numbers that can be seen exploring and moving about their enclosure at various times. A small or starter colony may be more reclusive, but if well cared for it won't take long to see babies and watch your isopod culture grow. 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 will suit them just fine. A. Granulatum prefers a temperate climate with good ventilation. Around one third to half of the enclosure should have damp (not wet) sphagnum moss with the remainder being a bit on the dry side, but not completely devoid of some moisture.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. 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.  All considered Armadillidium Granulatum is a great choice if you're just getting into isopods or just want some diversification to your collection. They can be a great tool for teaching in the classroom or a general display enclosure once your colony grows beyond minimal numbers. Their forgiving nature in care needs means they won't be high maintenance and disasters are likely not be an issue long as they aren't neglected for an extended period of time. Their variable yellow markings and larger size are desirable features not commonly found in many comparable species. Check out our store front to see our entire selection of unique and amazing isopoids!

Not to be confused with it's cousin Armadillidium Vulgare, this isopod does share the same genus but it's a separately classified species. It's scientific name "Nasatum" is actually derived from a rectangular protrusion on the head that resembles a nose. Hence one of the common names for this species "Nosy Isopod". This is one quick easy way to distinguish it from similar isopods. Taxonomy aside, A. Nasatum is just as easy if not easier to care for as A. Vulgare. Nastaum isopods on average can grow up to around .80 inch in length and have a slightly elongated build. You can likely find the common version in earth tone colors in your own back yard, but this version called "Peach" is from years of selective breeding and they do not occur naturally in the wild. When they are tiny babies they have little to no color and tend to stay hidden or buried in the substrate. Juveniles and sub adults are brightly colored and mature adults have a slightly deeper hue. Armadillidium Nasatum is a common isopod species and the one most people are referring to when the iconic term "pill bug" or "roly poly" as they can roll up into a nearly perfect ball. But Nasatum falls short of a perfect sphere which is another distinguishing difference from other comparable species. They are native to Europe, but have established themselves nearly worldwide with the help of humans and agriculture. They are a beginner friendly species and can thrive in nearly all environmental conditions ranging from semi arid to sub tropical. This makes this isopod one of the few that can can serve as a valuable clean up crew for other animals that like it more on the dry side. As always, they still need some moisture and will quickly desiccate in a zero humidity environment. It should be noted that the newborns do require a bit higher humidity and are more sensitive to drying out during this stage of their life cycle. Armadillidium Nastum is a relatively outgoing isopod that can be seen exploring and moving about their enclosure at various times. As with most isopods, higher numbers means higher visibility. 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 low to mid 70sF will suit them just fine. Around one third to half of the enclosure should have damp (not wet) sphagnum moss with the remainder being a bit on the dry side, but not completely devoid of some moisture. 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. 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. Armadillidium Nasatum "Peach" is a very easy species to keep and is forgiving with the learning curves of new keepers or the occasional memory lapse. The range of orange-pink tones in an established culture is aesthetically pleasing and you won't always have to hunt for them to enjoy this as they are both day and night active. See our store front for many other fascinating and unique isopods! Quick Facts Origin: Northern and Southern Europe Classification: Armadillidiadae > Armadillidium > Nasatum Characteristics: Pinkish-orange coloration. Fairly prolific. Generally outgoing and friendly. Average Size: 0.70" to 0.80" inch Activity level: Active both day and night Difficulty: Easy

Not to be confused with it's cousin Armadillidium Vulgare, this isopod does share the same genus but it's a separately classified species. It's scientific name "Nasatum" is actually derived from a rectangular protrusion on the head that resembles a nose. Hence one of the common names for this species "Nosy Isopod". This is one quick easy way to distinguish it from similar isopods. Taxonomy aside, A. Nasatum is just as easy if not easier to care for as A. Vulgare. Nastaum isopods on average can grow up to around .80 inch in length and have a slightly elongated build. You can likely find the common version in earth tone colors in your own back yard, but this version called "white out" is from years of selective breeding and they do not occur naturally in the wild. They vary slightly from individual to individual with most having a slight off white to yellow tinge. Even their eyes are white! They are semi-translucent so the color(s) of food they eat will also be evident as they are digesting it. When they are tiny babies they have little to no color and tend to stay hidden or buried in the substrate. Juveniles and sub adults are brighter and mature adults have a slightly deeper hue. Armadillidium Nasatum is a common isopod species and the one most people are referring to when the iconic term "pill bug" or "roly poly" as they can roll up into a nearly perfect ball. But Nasatum falls short of a perfect sphere which is another distinguishing difference from other comparable species. They are native to Europe, but have established themselves nearly worldwide with the help of humans and agriculture. They are a beginner friendly species and can thrive in nearly all environmental conditions ranging from semi arid to sub tropical. This makes this isopod one of the few that can can serve as a valuable clean up crew for other animals that like it more on the dry side. As always, they still need some moisture and will quickly desiccate in a zero humidity environment. It should be noted that the newborns do require a bit higher humidity and are more sensitive to drying out during this stage of their life cycle. Armadillidium Nastum is a relatively outgoing isopod that can be seen exploring and moving about their enclosure at various times. As with most isopods, higher numbers means higher visibility. 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 low to mid 70sF will suit them just fine. Around one third to half of the enclosure should have damp (not wet) sphagnum moss with the remainder being a bit on the dry side, but not completely devoid of some moisture. 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. 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 pestsArmadillidium Nasatum "White Out" is a very easy species to keep and is forgiving with the learning curves of new keepers or the occasional memory lapse. The flurry of little white bodies moving around in an established culture is aesthetically pleasing and you won't always have to hunt for them to enjoy this as they are both day and night active. See our store front for many other fascinating and unique isopods! Quick Facts Origin: Northern and Southern Europe Classification: Armadillidiadae > Armadillidium > Nasatum Characteristics: Off white color. Fairly prolific. Generally outgoing and friendly. Average Size: 0.70" to 0.80" inch Activity level: Active both day and night Difficulty: Easy

Armadillidium Gestroi is a large robust isopod and is among the handful that are pleasantly daytime active. They have 3-4 rows of blazing bright yellow splotching running down the length of the pereon and pleon sections that contrast nicely on their jet black base coloring. It is believed this bold coloration is an adaption mimicking the markings of venomous animals that serves a visual warning to predators to keep away. But no worries, Gestroi isopods are completely harmless. They are generally easy to keep and make an aesthetically pleasing display isopod. This popular isopod is a bit of a tank, but the average 6 quart or small glass aquarium is fine for a starter culture amount of 12-12 individuals. Just know you will likely be needing to upgrade or make other plans sooner than later once they start producing offspring. Average room temperature is fine for this species. A. Vulgare prefers a temperate environment, but slightly higher on the moist side. Good ventilation is key with this species as you do not want a completely semi tropical enclosure. Around one third to half of the enclosure should have damp (not wet) sphagnum moss with the remainder being a bit on the dry side, but not completely lacking some level of moisture. Their primary diet is dried leaf litter and soft decayed wood which should always be available in abundance. They also enjoy veggies like squash, carrots, radishes and similar. These can be added on a supplemental basis a few times a week. Other supplemental options such as commercial isopod powdered food like Repashy are also devoured without hesitation. Armadillidium Gestroi isopods also need some protein in their diets. Options like freeze dried minnows, shrimp, fish pellets, fish flakes and other protein based food sources work well. Be sure to feed these on the drier side as they can spoil quickly in humid environments and attract unwanted pests.  Armadillidium Gestroi is a fantastic isopod for beginners. It is not extremely sensitive and fairly tolerable to typical new keeper mistakes and learning curves. They will reproduce readily once established and is an all around rewarding species for any collection. See our full care guide for Armadillidium Gestroi which has comprehensive expanded details for all care aspects of this showy isopod species! Quick Facts Origin: France and Italy Family Classification: Armadillidiidae > Armadillidium > Gestroi Size: Average is around 0.75 inches with large adults reaching 0.80+ inches Activity level: Generally outgoing and daytime active Difficulty: Easy

The Marbleized Isopod (Armadillidium Espanyoli) is a smaller sized armadillidum from Spain. They have an aesthetically pleasing light to dark beige coloring intermixed with a creamy off white. The patterning is unique on each individual, but all have incredible contrast likening their appearance to a modern marble counter top. Some say it conjures up thoughts of espresso and lattes! However you may interpret their appearance, the Marbleized Isopod boasts the impressive feat of taking typically bland colors and making them "pop" just as much as other brightly colored species. They are communal with large numbers of individuals often found huddling tightly together in a tight mass under cork bark or decayed wood. For housing, a 6 quart gasket sealed storage bin or small glass aquarium is sufficient for a small starter culture of 15 to 30 individuals. Standard or bioactive enclosures can be enhanced with natural botanicals 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 72-80F leaning more towards the warmer end if possible. 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 more than a small section of the enclosure gets too dry. 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. Isopods are detritivores. Their primary diet in nature is dried leaf litter and rotting 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. Marbleized Isopods relish food options like squash, carrots, cucumbers and other veggies along with commercial isopod powdered food like Repashy Morning Wood. They also appreciate some protein once or twice a week 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. The Marbleized Isopod is not an overly difficult species to keep, but they are noted as being "slow" to start. It should also be noted they are primarily nocturnal so to truly enjoy those flashy creamy colors you will have to look in on them after daylight hours. Some moving about during the day is not uncommon once your colony has started to reproduce and shows higher density. They are a bit skittish when disturbed and move surprisingly fast for an isopod! A. Espanyoli is a fantastic Isopod worth adding to your collection or simply as a bioactive custodian in the proper environmental set up. Quick Facts Origin: Spain Family Classification: Armadillidiidae > Armadillidium > Marbleized Average Size: Between 1/4" and 1/3" inch Activity level: Primarily nocturnal. Some day activity is common with larger established cultures Difficulty: Easy