Armadillidium Isopods

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!

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 12-20 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 Armadillidium Scaberrimum Sandstone isopod is a beginner friendly species that's very adaptable to multiple climates ranging from semi-arid to borderline subtropical. Upon close inspection they have a noticeable tuberculated or bumpy carapace giving them a velvety appearance. Coloration is mostly a light beige, though some individuals also exhibit light gray hues. They tend to congregate in tight clusters under cork bark and other solid structures within their environment. They're very hardy with huge appetites and reproduce fairly easily. Being an armadillidium they can conglobate or roll up into a ball when they feel scared or threatened. They are native to Europe, most notably Greece and Croatia. 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 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 around the mid 70sF will suit them just fine. They also do fine with average 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 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. Sandstone 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. Sandstone isopods are a great choice whether you need a bio-custodian or "pet" isopod. Their forgiving nature in regards to care combined with their wide climate adaptability make them an ideal choice for either role in a multitude of set ups. They aren't shy to eat when they're hungry and will quite readily swarm food items when offered. Their prolific nature once well established also makes them a potential feeder candidate for insectivorous reptiles and amphibians. Whether you're new to the isopod hobby, looking for something a little bit outside the typical or just need an option with a range of climate tolerances, the Sandstone Isopod is a fantastic addition for your enclosure! Quick Facts Origin: Greece and Croatia Family Classification: Armadillidiidae > Armadillidium > Scaberrimum Average Size: Around 0.80" inch Activity level: Active both day and night Difficulty: Easy

Armadillidium Peraccae is an interesting and unique isopod. They are mostly various shades of gray with some being slightly beige. But as far as color goes, what makes this species unique is that some individuals when viewed just the right angle and lighting have subtle shades of blue. This is more prevalent in the lighter colored individuals, but nearly all have this trait. Their coarse tuberculated outer surface makes it appear as a mottled blue and it's quite a beautiful thing to see in an isopod! Color aside, they are also very well suited for bioactive janitor duties making quick work of decayed vegetation and or organic matter. They can also serve as feeders for insectivorous animals like frogs and lizards. Being an Armadillidium they can conglobate or roll up into a ball when they feel scared or threatened. They are native to Greece and surrounding regions so they are best suited for temperate to semi arid environments. They often huddle in tight groups under wood or bark mostly coming out at night to forage though some day activity is not uncommon either. Care is simple and more or less on par with any other common Armadillidium species. 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. Peraccae does best with average 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 may tend to eat live plants so consider this if they are to be used in any type of planted vivarium or terrarium. Peraccae isopods at a glance don't look special in appearance compared to many other available species. But if you take a moment to look at them in the right lighting, their blue undertones set them apart from any other run of the mill species. Their simple straight forward care combined with their prolific nature to reproduce readily make them a top tier choice if you want a simple isopod that has a desirable appearance less the typical cost of higher end species in the hobby. They are modestly day active and have a strong feeding response so you can enjoy them most any time of day or night! Quick Facts Origin: Greece Family Classification: Armadillidiidae > Armadillidium > Peraccae Average Size: Around 0.70" inch Activity level: Active both day and night Difficulty: Easy

Armadillidium Vulgare Orange Vigor is an easy isopod to keep that has the bonus of dazzling orange colors! Their appearance is further enhanced with metallic yellow flecking making them an ideal display isopod if desired. The oranges range from a bright citrus hue to a deeper darker shade bordering brick red. 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.  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 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. A. Vulgare isopods relish food options like squash, carrots, cucumbers 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 Orange Vigor is an easy species to keep and is fairly forgiving with the learning curves of new keepers or the occasional memory lapse. Their bright orange colors combined with their partial daytime active disposition makes them an ideal candidate for a display isopod if that's your desire.  Quick Facts Origin: Mediterranean Europe Classification:  Armadillidiidae > Armadillidium > A. Vulgare Characteristics: Various shades of orange with yellow flecking Size: 1/2" to 3/4" inch Activity level: Active both day and night Care level: Easy

Armadillidium Versicolor Ceska originates from the Czech Republic and is noted for its colorful splotching patterns which consist of various shades or green over a dark base. They also typically have a touch of red on their hind quarters. These isopods are on the small side, but are not considered dwarfs. They are not overly difficult to keep and tend to reproduce on a steady basis once they are well established. For housing, a 6 quart gasket sealed storage bin or small glass aquarium is sufficient for a small starter culture of 12 to 25 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 around the mid 70s F will suit them just fine. Around 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 as needed to maintain their needed ambient humidity levels. 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. A longer piece that straddles both the moist and drier area also seems to be beneficial for this species.  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. These 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 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 Versicolor has a few other locales in the hobby, but Ceska is considered among the most desirable with their flashy unique green hues. Their smaller size can be advantageous in some set ups, but do keep in mind they have a tendency to eat soft bodied plants. They tend to huddle in clusters underneath cork bark and other objects by day, but can easily be seen moving about at night once the lights go out.  Quick Facts Origin: Czech Republic Family Classification: Armadillidiidae > Armadillidium > A. Versicolor Average Size: Between 0.60" to 0.70" inch Activity level: Primarily nocturnal Difficulty: Easy