Written by drasloom » Updated on: April 05th, 2025
Isopods are a fascinating group of crustaceans. Relatives of terrestrial pill bugs or wood lice found scurrying about your backyard, they have evolved to live in harsher environments of the deep sea - becoming bottom dwellers that reach up to 30cm long! One species - Bathynomus giganteus - even grows up to 30 cm.
Isopods are detritivores
Isopods (roly polys or pill bugs), are an invaluable asset to reptile keepers. Their detritivores nature allows them to feed on decaying leaves, wood, slime mold fungus and animal waste while recycling nutrients back into plant food and reducing cleaning in your vivarium.
Crustaceans such as crabs can be found both marine and terrestrial environments. Their rigid, segmented exoskeletons and two pairs of antennae distinguish them, and they possess seven sets of jointed limbs on the thorax and five on the abdomen for movement and support. Females give birth in a pouch under their thorax known as a marsupium pouch.
Some isopods can be predatory while others serve as scavengers; the Bathynomus giganteus, an enormous isopod in deep-sea waters that grows to over 28 cm, fits both categories perfectly. It employs camouflage patterns that blend into its environment as it extracts oxygen from water through special appendages; additionally, this predator has even been known to consume fish carcasses!
They are a food source for many reptiles and amphibians
Like their crustacean cousins, isopod form an essential part of many reptile diets. Not only can they serve as detritor, helping keep the enclosure tidy while simultaneously providing essential nutrition, they're also great detritor feeders! Feed them dead leaves, moss or linches from plants as food; as well as dried foods like Veggie Burger or Repashy Morning Wood as well as fish scraps or cooked shrimp!
One of the most sought-after isopods in hobby isopod terrariums is the Spanish Porcellio isopod (Bathynomus giganteus). This species breeds quickly and tolerates fluctuating temperatures well, preferring moist places as its preferred habitat; fast moving, with some distinctive markings on its carapace; generally more humidity resistant than Armadillidium species and often used for bioactive terrarium cleanup services - it may cost slightly more but makes for great bioactive cleanup services terrariums! This species may cost slightly more but its unique qualities make up for it - beautiful colors as well as toughness make for great cleaning crew services as bioactive environments!
They are a source of calcium
Isopods provide animals, particularly reptiles, with an invaluable source of calcium. Detritivores like isopods break down dead plants and animals to provide essential nutrients to their ecosystem and make great clean-up crews in terrariums or other enclosures. Isopods need calcium for healthy development; its source can come in various forms.
One of the best sources of calcium for isopods are crushed eggshells, which can be sprinkled onto their food or substrate. Cuttlebone, commonly found in bird diets and often available at pet stores for birds as part of an avian section diet, also provides great sources of calcium - this source may even be soaked to increase availability. For more information on ispods for sale uk , click here or check out our official site.
Other calcium-rich food options for isopod species can include decaying white wood, decaying leaves and forest moss; Lichen may not be essential, but some species will die without access. Limestone makes an excellent addition to terrariums as either whole rock or ground additive, simulating cave environments preferred by Cubaris and Porcellio species.
They are a pest
Isopods are not pests - they are natural parts of our ecosystem and do not damage buildings they enter. Isopods feed on organic debris such as decayed plant material and fungi, making a significant contribution to soil biodiversity.
Terrestrial isopods (woodlice) are active soil decomposers that inhabit the upper litter layer, contributing to soil decomposition by mechanically fragmenting and dispersing dead organic material, helping further bacterial decomposition while providing essential sources of nutrition and also helping shape soil structure and mycorrhizal fungi growth. Click here or go to our website to buy isopods.
As with all pets, selecting an ideal substrate is of critical importance for isopods. A sphagnum moss specifically made for use with pets would be perfect as its highly porous structure holds moisture for extended periods without misting it. Also included should be some "hides", like cork bark or decayed wood pieces, calcium sources (limestone eggshells or cuttlebone), as well as "hides". Outdoor dirt may contain pathogens, weed seeds and other contaminants which could harm their wellbeing.
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