Taming wild species is something humans have been doing for ages, and a new addition that has been taking the world of pet enthusiasts by storm is isopods. Once you keep them as a pet, you must be aware of their eating habits like any other pet. It is best that you keep their diet same as they prefer in wild. To own them as pets, you must have a good idea about their diet and what they eat. To help you out, we have provided a brief guide in the post below. Meanwhile, check isopods for sale to find high-quality species at reasonable rates.
What Do Isopods Eat?
Isopods are detritivores. They eat decaying plant and animal matter easily available in the wild. Despite being tiny, they need a varied diet that contributes to their growth and reproduction to live long and be healthy throughout.
Unlike other animals, isopods are not hunters. Instead of looking for prey, they search for food on the forest floor. But in captivity, they depend on humans, who give them food to eat.
If you own isopods, it’s your duty to provide them with a balanced diet that is healthy and nutritious for their bodies. They also need protein and calcium sources to grow and breed faster.
Best Foods For Isopods
There is a myriad of things you can feed your isopods. As long as it is good for their health, you need not worry about anything. Here’s an overview of foods that you should include in your isopods’ diet:
Leaf Litter
A great deal of essential nutrients like calcium and tannins come from leaf litter, which helps in the development of their, the most important part of their body. Leaves of oak, magnolia, maple, and guava, are good source of high nutritional value and add to their overall well-being, only if they are free from any sort of chemical and pesticides, as they can turn out of to be harmful. Choose dried, brown leaves because they decompose quickly and taste delicious.
Decaying Wood
Just feeding leaf litter is not enough. You should also give them decaying and rotting wood so they can munch on it as much as they like. Just like the leaves, even wood should be free of pesticides to ensure you are not putting your pets at stake.
Vegetables
Feed your pet isopods veggies in a large variety because they will feel tummy happy. They happy meal of veggies must have carrots, cucumber, squash, and zucchini, and also add nutrients to their diet. You should chop the vegetables into small pieces so it is easier for your isopods to eat them. Also, add vegetable peelings and scrapes as they are equally good for their health.
Fruits
To enrich their diet with nutrients and taste, addition of fruits is an unbeatable option. From bananas to apples and pumpkins, they eat a variety of fruits. Just don’t give them excess fruit, as it can cause mold growth and even attract pests that are not welcome. Citrus is also not recommended for isopods although I have never tried this personally.
Protein and Calcium Sources
Isopods need both protein and calcium for molting and reproduction. You should add small amounts of fish flakes, dried shrimps, and decaying insects to their enclosure. This will fulfill their protein needs and make them stronger. Crushed eggshells and calcium powder are great sources of calcium, and they will need them for better growth.
Providing the right diet is an important part of owning isopods. Unless you feed correctly, your isopods won’t be healthy or reproduce like in the wild. Please give them a varied diet and see how they enjoy it.