Porcellio Isopods for Sale UK

Porcellio is the genus of large, fast, flat-bodied isopods - the ones that don't roll into a ball. It includes some of the most popular animals in the hobby, from the beginner-friendly Dairy Cow through to the giant Spanish species that are among the biggest isopods you can keep. Every animal on this page is captive-bred in the UK, dispatched Monday to Thursday, and covered by a live arrival guarantee with a 20% overcount as standard.

Unlike Armadillidium, Porcellio cannot conglobate - they're built flat and rely on speed rather than rolling up. That makes them noticeably more active and visible than most isopods, which is a large part of why keepers like them.

Where to Start

The genus spans an enormous range, from bulletproof beginner species to demanding collector animals:

• Dairy Cow (Porcellio laevis) - the standout beginner species and one of our best sellers. Large, boldly spotted, prolific, forgiving of mistakes, and genuinely visible in the enclosure. Also available as Grey and Snow White morphs.
• Porcellio scaber - the common rough woodlouse, selectively bred into a huge range of morphs. Hardy, adaptable, and a good step up. Includes Lava and other colour lines.
• Porcellio werneri - Greek species, moderate care, distinctive markings.
• Haasi High Yellow and Ornatus High Yellow - bright, high-contrast Spanish species for keepers with some experience.

The Giant Spanish Species

The Spanish and Mediterranean Porcellio are the largest isopods in the hobby, and the reason many keepers get into the genus at all:

• Porcellio magnificus - the giant of the genus.
• Porcellio hoffmannseggii - huge, impressive, and surprisingly manageable.
• Porcellio expansus - broad-bodied and striking. See our Porcellio expansus care guide for the detail.
• Bolivari Lemonade - a bright morph of another Spanish giant.

These species want better drainage and more ventilation than tropical isopods, and a calcium-rich substrate. They're slower breeders, so treat them as a project rather than a quick colony.

Caring for Porcellio

Most Porcellio are straightforward. They want a nutritious substrate of flake soil, white-rotted hardwood and organic topsoil, a generous leaf litter layer, always-available calcium, and a moisture gradient - damp at one end, drier at the other. UK room temperature suits nearly all of them without supplementary heating.

One thing worth knowing: Porcellio are assertive feeders. They're notably protein-hungry and can outcompete smaller or shyer species, and larger animals will occasionally predate vulnerable individuals mid-moult. That's an advantage in a bioactive cleanup crew and a problem in a mixed colony - so keep them in their own enclosure for any breeding project. Our Dairy Cow care guide covers the husbandry in full, and our substrate guide explains how to build the base they want.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Porcellio isopods?
Porcellio is a genus of terrestrial isopods - not a single species. It contains dozens of species and selectively bred morphs, from the common Porcellio scaber through to the giant Spanish species. They're characterised by a flat, oval body, fast movement, and an inability to roll into a ball.

Can Porcellio isopods roll into a ball?
No. Porcellio are flat-bodied and cannot conglobate - they rely on speed rather than rolling up for defence. If you specifically want the classic pill-bug rolling behaviour, you want Armadillidium instead.

Are Porcellio isopods good for beginners?
Some are among the best beginner isopods available. Dairy Cow (Porcellio laevis) is hardy, prolific, visible and forgiving of mistakes - widely considered one of the best first isopods you can buy. The giant Spanish species are a different matter and are better left until you have experience.

Are Dairy Cow isopods a Porcellio?
Yes - Dairy Cow is a selectively bred morph of Porcellio laevis, named for its black-and-white Holstein-cow patterning. Wild-type P. laevis is plain grey or grey-brown.

What is the biggest Porcellio isopod?
The giant Spanish species - Porcellio magnificus, P. hoffmannseggii and P. expansus - are the largest isopods commonly kept in the hobby, and considerably bigger than any UK native.

Can you keep Porcellio with other isopods?
It's best avoided. Porcellio are assertive feeders that outcompete shyer species, and larger individuals will occasionally predate smaller isopods during moults. They're excellent as a bioactive cleanup crew, but for a breeding project keep them in their own enclosure.

Do Porcellio isopods need heating?
Generally not. Standard UK room temperature suits most Porcellio year-round in a normally heated home. They're temperate and Mediterranean species rather than tropical, so they don't need the supplementary warmth that Cubaris do.

Browse the wider range in our isopods for sale collection, or pair any colony with springtails for a complete bioactive cleanup crew. For substrate, leaf litter and calcium, see our accessories. New to the hobby? Start with our beginner's guide to keeping isopods.