Armadillidium maculatum "Yellow Zebra" is a selectively bred colour morph of the popular Zebra isopod, displaying bold yellow and black striping instead of the standard white and black pattern. This variation has become increasingly popular among collectors for its warmer, more vibrant appearance while retaining all the hardy, beginner-friendly characteristics that make the species so widely kept. If you're familiar with regular Zebra isopods, you'll find Yellow Zebras just as straightforward to care for—with added visual appeal.
A Glimpse
-
Origin: France / Mediterranean (selectively bred colour morph)
-
Scientific Name: Armadillidium maculatum "Yellow Zebra"
-
Maintenance required: Low
-
Average Size: 1.5-1.8 cm
-
Rarity: Low to Medium
-
Lifespan: 2-3 years
-
Temperature: 20-26°C (68-79°F)
-
Ventilation: Medium to High
-
Humidity: 50-70% (with moisture gradient)
-
Favorite food: Leaf litter, decaying wood, vegetables
-
Supplements: Cuttlefish bone, crushed eggshells, limestone
Yellow Zebra Isopods: Introduction
The Yellow Zebra is a colour morph of Armadillidium maculatum that has been selectively bred to replace the typical white striping with yellow pigmentation. The result is a striking yellow and black banded pattern that stands out against substrate and makes them particularly appealing for display enclosures.
Standard Armadillidium maculatum (Zebra isopods) are often recommended as one of the best species for beginners—they're hardy, tolerant of a range of conditions, reasonably active once settled, and breed well in captivity. The Yellow Zebra morph shares all these characteristics while offering something a bit more visually distinctive than the common black and white form.
Native to the Mediterranean region and southern France, the species naturally inhabits semi-arid deciduous woodland. They prefer drier conditions than many tropical isopods but still need access to moisture. Their ability to roll into a tight defensive ball (conglobation) is characteristic of the Armadillidium genus and adds to their appeal as "roly-poly" or "pill bug" type isopods.
Yellow Zebra Isopods: Physical Traits and Characteristics
- Adults typically reach 1.5-1.8 cm in length
- Bold yellow and black banded pattern across the segmented body
- Colour intensity can vary between individuals—selective breeding can improve stripe definition
- Smooth, domed exoskeleton typical of Armadillidium species
- Ability to conglobate (roll into a complete ball) when threatened
- Shorter antennae compared to Porcellio species
- Juveniles display the yellow pattern from birth, though colouration may intensify with maturity
Colour Morphs of Armadillidium maculatum
The Zebra isopod has been bred into several colour variants:
-
Standard Zebra: Black and white striped pattern—the original wild-type colouration
-
Yellow Zebra: This morph—yellow replaces white in the striping
-
Chocolate Zebra: White stripes on a dark brown base
-
Dalmatian/High White: Predominantly white with black spots rather than stripes
-
Spotted Zebra: White spots instead of continuous stripes
The Yellow Zebra morph breeds true when yellow individuals are paired together. Mixing with other colour morphs will produce varied offspring over subsequent generations.
Behaviour
Armadillidium maculatum are among the more active and visible isopod species once they've settled into their enclosure.
Settling in: Like most isopods, they may be shy initially while they assess their new environment. Give them a week or two to establish themselves, after which they typically become more confident.
Activity levels: Once comfortable, Yellow Zebras are reasonably active and will forage openly, even during daylight hours. They're not as secretive as many Cubaris species, making them more rewarding for keepers who want to actually see their isopods.
Defence: When disturbed, they roll into a tight ball—classic pill bug behaviour. This is their primary defence mechanism since they can't run as quickly as Porcellio species.
Temperament: Peaceful and non-aggressive. They coexist well with other isopods and terrarium inhabitants without issues.
Conglobation: Their ability to roll into a perfect sphere is characteristic of the Armadillidium genus and is always satisfying to observe.
Diet
Yellow Zebra isopods are straightforward to feed, accepting the standard isopod diet.
Primary foods:
- Dried leaf litter (oak, beech, hawthorn, and similar hardwoods)
- Decaying wood and bark
- Cork bark
Supplementary foods:
- Vegetables: carrot, courgette, butternut squash, sweet potato, cucumber
- Fish flakes for protein
- Small amounts of fruit occasionally
- Moss (they'll graze on it)
Calcium: Essential for healthy moulting and exoskeleton development. Provide cuttlefish bone, crushed eggshells, crushed limestone, or calcium powder as a constant source in the enclosure.
Feeding approach: They're not fussy. Maintain a base of leaf litter and decaying wood in the enclosure, and supplement with vegetables every few days. Remove uneaten fresh foods within 24-48 hours to prevent mould. Don't overfeed—let them work through what's available before adding more.
Yellow Zebra Isopods: Breeding
This species breeds well in captivity, making them excellent for hobbyists wanting to grow their colony.
Breeding basics:
- Females carry eggs in a marsupium and release fully formed juveniles
- Brood sizes are moderate
- Breeding rate is steady—not explosive like some Porcellio species, but reliable
- Population will grow consistently under good conditions
Maintaining the yellow morph: To keep the yellow colouration breeding true, don't mix Yellow Zebras with other maculatum colour morphs. If you want to improve stripe definition or colour intensity, you can selectively breed individuals with the strongest yellow pigmentation.
Conditions for breeding:
- Stable temperature within preferred range
- Appropriate humidity with drier and more humid areas available
- Adequate calcium for breeding females
- Sufficient hiding spots and space
Difficulty: Breeding is classified as intermediate, but this is relative—they're still significantly easier to breed than many exotic species. Most keepers with basic experience will have success.
Yellow Zebra Isopods: Habitat Setup
Enclosure: A standard plastic container with ventilation works well. These isopods benefit from good airflow, so ensure adequate ventilation holes or mesh sections. A 10-15 litre container suits a starter colony, with larger enclosures for established populations.
Substrate: Use a substrate that holds some moisture but isn't constantly wet:
- Organic topsoil as a base (pesticide-free)
- Sphagnum peat moss mixed in for moisture retention
- Leaf litter worked into the substrate and layered on top
- Decaying hardwood pieces
- Crushed limestone or calcium powder throughout
- Sand mixed in for drainage (optional)
Substrate depth of 5-8 cm is sufficient. They don't burrow as extensively as some species but appreciate being able to dig into the substrate when needed.
Moisture gradient: Important for this semi-arid species. They need some moisture for hydration and moulting but prefer drier conditions overall than tropical species. Set up approximately one quarter to one third of the enclosure with damp sphagnum moss or misted substrate, leaving the rest drier. This allows them to choose their preferred microclimate.
Overall humidity: Aim for 50-70%. Avoid consistently high humidity—these are Mediterranean isopods, not rainforest species. Good ventilation helps prevent the enclosure becoming too humid.
Ventilation: Medium to high ventilation is beneficial. Use mesh sections in the lid or plenty of ventilation holes. Cross-ventilation (holes on opposite sides) helps maintain airflow. Cover any openings with fine mesh to prevent escapes—while they're not great climbers, it's worth being cautious.
Décor and hides:
- Cork bark pieces and tubes
- Flat stones or slate
- Hardwood bark pieces
- Leaf litter coverage
- Sphagnum moss in the humid corner
Provide plenty of hiding spots. They'll establish preferred areas within the enclosure and feel more secure with options for cover.
Temperature: Room temperature (20-26°C) works well. They tolerate a reasonable range but avoid extremes. In winter, if temperatures drop significantly, a heat mat on a thermostat can help maintain appropriate warmth.
Lighting: Normal room lighting is fine. They're not as light-sensitive as some species and will be active in moderate lighting once established.
Suitability
Yellow Zebra isopods are excellent for beginners and experienced keepers alike.
Good choice for:
- Beginners wanting an attractive, hardy first species
- Keepers who want visible, active isopods
- Display enclosures where appearance matters
- Those interested in selective breeding for colour
- Semi-arid or Mediterranean-style bioactive setups
Not ideal for:
- High-humidity tropical setups (better options exist)
- Keepers wanting very rapid colony growth (Porcellio scaber breeds faster)
Bioactive use: They work well as cleanup crew in appropriate bioactive setups, particularly for animals requiring moderate humidity levels. Their size and defensive rolling behaviour offer some protection from predation, though very small juveniles may still be eaten by some reptiles.
Care level: Low difficulty. They're forgiving of minor husbandry mistakes, tolerate a range of conditions, and don't have demanding requirements. One of the better species for learning isopod keeping while still having something visually appealing.
Value: Yellow Zebras offer good value—they're more visually striking than standard species without the price tag or care requirements of exotic Cubaris or rare morphs. A solid choice for building a collection without significant investment.
