Every creature on this planet has a requires a specific habitat /setup to thrive and breed and isopods are nothing different. Isopods prefer to live in dark and humid environment with stable temperature, and abundance of organic materials.
They have become the latest love of many and being chosen as a pet for their size, colour and cuteness, but their living conditions must mimic their original habitat. You can keep them in a glass terrarium or even a RUB (plastic tub or Brtaplast) as they don't require a lot of space like other pets do. But the important thing is the environment. You need to build a setup similar to their natural habitat; otherwise, problems can arise.
If you are wondering why you should mimic their natural habitat, this post will answer your question.
What Type Of Habitat Isopods Need?
Quite adverse to the nature of land-living creatures, isopods prefer moist environment to live and prosper. They are commonly found in humid regions so that they can never have shortage of eating materials like leaf, decaying materials, litter, and rock.
In case you didn't know, isopods need a humid environment to breathe properly and avoid molting issues. They have gill-like structures that they use to breathe.
Every isopod species is different, and so are the requirements that need to be met for them to live a healthy and long life. From tropical forests to temperate woodlands, you will find them in various conditions all around the world.
You can own them as pets only if you are ready to meet their requirements and build a suitable habitat for their survival. If that sounds like a lot of work, you should look for a different pet.
Why You Should Mimic Their Habitat?
There are various reasons why mimicking their natural habitat is important. We have explained the details in the lines below to give you an idea.
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They need a humid environment so they can keep their gill-like structures moist and breathe properly through them. The longevity of life depends on the humid condition you are providing them.
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Give them a well-designed so they can exhibit natural behaviours like burrowing, hiding, and foraging, just like they do in the wild.
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Like arthropods, isopods molt in their natural habitat. Since this is a delicate process, you need to provide them with a suitable environment where they can go through it without worries. Just so you know, an improper habitat can cause molting issues, deformities, or death, depending on the situation.
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A bad living condition and environment increases their stress level and will have a great impact on their immune system. You can avoid these problems by creating a habitat suitable for their survival.
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To breed isopods, you must maintain a high-quality habitat that encourages their faster reproduction. You cannot expect them to grow their colony unless you provide them with a safe place.
Tips To Mimic Their Habitat
A list of tips shared below will help you mimicking their habitat the best way.
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Choose/create a substrate mix that contains sufficient organic soil, decaying wood, and sphagnum moss, as these provide essential nutrients for your isopods.
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You should mist their habitat regularly so it doesn't get too dry over time. (the amount you should mist your isopods will depend on the genus/species.
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Add plenty of hiding spots so your isopods can hide or seek shelter whenever needed. We personally like to use lots of leaf litter and also cork bark for this.
Creating the perfect habitat allows you to keep your isopods in good condition and prevent them from falling ill frequently. Just follow the tips and guidelines in this post, and you'll be good to go.