Top 5 Isopods

With over 10 000 species to choose from you may be struggling to decide which isopods to get. Well not really as most species aren't suitable for the home terrarium. Bathynomus can get to nearly 2 feet long, live in the depths of the oceans, and are known to attack small sharks for example.

 So how have we decided on this top 5? Popularity has played into it. The isopods that you keep coming back for. But a couple that we think are just amazing for one reason or another. But if you don’t want to go with the crowd then check out the 5 species we think are the most underrated https://postpods.co.uk/blogs/isopods-useful-articles/5-underrated-isopod-species

Dairy Cow Isopods (Porcellio laevis)

 You might be surprised to know that this was the earliest species of isopod recorded in the UK. Especially as they’re originally from North Africa. An archaeological dig of a 13th-century rubbish pit found one preserved in the rubbish, notes from the mid 1700s from naturalists recorded P. laevis.

 But those are the grey variety of the species, but these guys can have various colour morphs including the piebald, black and white patches, that we call Dairy Cow Isopods.

 Interestingly P. laevis thrived in British cities until the railway came along, this is because they were living on cow and horse dung, and found compost and dung heaps the ideal place to live. Once the railway meant fresh milk could be brought to the city, and horses weren't needed as much, the numbers started to drop, although they are still occasionally found in stately homes with compost heaps that have been around for hundreds of years.

 In the rest of the world, especially their native range of North Africa, they are abundant, and they’re easy to breed, meaning you can be sure that you’re not harming any wild populations by keeping Dairy Cow Isopods.

 

 They're one of the larger species that are commonly kept as pets, and make a fantastic part of the clean-up crew due to their evolution to break down large amounts of waste. Also known as the swift woodlouse they can have bursts of speed, so plan on a decent-sized enclosure for them.

Panda King Isopods (Cubaris sp.)

 Another black and white species, but this time a colour combo that is found in the wild. Only reaching about 1cm long, these little isopods were originally found in Vietnam, in warm humid limestone caves. But since they breed fast you can be assured that ours are all bred in the UK. By us, because what's cuter than a little Cubaris sp? Baby Panda Kings.

 Since they hail from limestone caves they need a ready source of calcium, but a bit of eggshell, a cuttlefish bone, or a bit of limestone will all help keep them happy.

 Want to start out breeding something a bit more unusual, then these are some of the best isopods to breed. Start with a reasonable-sized colony and with the right care you will soon have a thriving group.

Rubber Ducky Isopods (Cubaris sp.)

 These are often the isopods that catch people's attention, and you can see why, with those endearing little faces, bright colours, and chilled-out attitude they make great pet isopods. Although they are a bit more of a challenge to keep needing higher humidity and temperatures than some other species.

 If you're just getting into keeping isopods then maybe look at Dairy Cows or Porcellionides isopods but for a bit more of a challenge these are great. Once you have a thriving colony they will start to breed, and you will have tiny little Rubber Duckys to watch climbing over the wood and leaf litter of your enclosure.

 Originally found in the humid caves of Thailand in 2017 these are still a rare species, so be careful where you source your own Rubber Ducky Isopods.

High Yellow Spotted Giant Isopods (Armadillidium gestroi)

Want an isopod that likes to hang out in plain view, then A. gestroi should be on your list. These are great for a terrarium where you want to watch your isopods. Their bright colour means that they're easy enough to spot and make for a fantastic part of any set-up.

 Found in Southern Europe they thrive in slightly higher temps and humidity and will munch their way through plenty of food.

Powder Orange isopods (Porcellionides pruinosus Orange)

Another isopod from Southern Europe these make a fantastic part of any clean-up crew. Amazingly hardy they are prolific breeders, allow for a humidity gradient, one end slightly damper than the other, and they will find their sweet spot.

 In the wild, they're found in more arid conditions than most isopods, so make a great clean-up crew for Bearded Dragon enclosures, as long as they're is a damper end such as near the water bowl. Otherwise, keep them in a slightly humid enclosure and offer a lot of leaf litter and food for them to break down and you will be rewarded with a rapidly breeding colony.