Why You Should Keep Isopods

Because they are awesome, that’s why.

 

They’re Not Bugs, So No One Needs To Be Scared Of Them

I’m a reptile keeper, and I’ve kept a lot of different animals. But I also have family members. I’m lucky that my family share my love of all things creepy and crawly, but yours may not.

Show most people a picture of a Rubber Ducky and they're going to say 'Ahhh' there are not many Arthropods that get that response. This means that you can set up a nice terrarium, add some pretty isopods, and whilst your family may not be as in love with them as you will, they won't be uncomfortable in their own home.

 

They Will Live Off Leaf Litter And Things That Other Animals Would Ignore

Isopods are the masters of a low-waste lifestyle. They are nature's clean-up crew. In the wild they live in a huge variety of environments, rooting around on the floor, taking care of fallen leaves, poop and other waste, and even cleaning up small bodies. Most isopods have leaf litter as a huge part of their diet.

 

Which leads us to…

 

They’re Super Cheap To Keep

 

You don’t need to go out and buy specialist food. Check out our articles here, and search for all our articles on what isopods eat.

 

Many of the species we keep, such as Porcellionides Isopods which will thrive at room temperature, so you don’t need to worry about heating their enclosure.

 

Speaking about enclosures…

 

They Will Live In A Small Enclosure

 

Only got a small space, that's fine they don't need huge enclosures. If you're just keeping isopods then you are only limited by your imagination. I love the look of the Victorian-style terrariums, but you don't need to spend a lot. Just make sure there aren't any gaps for them to get out of.

 

Once They Start Breeding The Colony Can Become Self-sustaining, No Need to Get Any More

 

Once you’ve got humidity, diet, and their enclosure right they will likely start breeding, and that means more of them. This means that you don’t need to go out and buy more, or even you might be able to sell some of your own isopods to other keepers.

 

 

<h2> They Make Great Clean-up Crews. That Makes Your Life Easier

 

If you keep reptiles, or other animals in a vivarium or similar enclosures, isopods can be a great help keeping on top of small amounts of waste. Or if you keep plants in an enclosure they will turn any fallen leaves into mulch that will reabsorb back into the soil and improve everything for the plants.

 

They Don’t Need Specialist Equipment

 

There are so many species, and many of them will thrive at room temperature, with simple lighting, leaf litter and some simple substrates. They don't even need a water bowl, they get all the required hydration from the substrate and moss.

 

There Are So Many Species That You Can Find The Best Ones For You

 

There are hundreds of species in the hobby, and we have a great range ourselves. That means that whatever grabs your attention in terms of keeping isopods there is one out there that is suitable.