Porcellio baeticensis "Violet" is a medium to large Spanish isopod with subtle purple-violet colouration that becomes more apparent under good lighting. Native to the Baetic mountain ranges in southern Spain, this species combines interesting parental behaviour with reasonable hardiness, making it a good option for keepers wanting something a bit different from the usual Porcellio species without the demanding care requirements of more exotic isopods.
A Glimpse
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Origin: Spain (Baetic mountain ranges)
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Scientific Name: Porcellio baeticensis
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Maintenance required: Low
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Average Size: 1.5-2 cm
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Rarity: Low
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Lifespan: 2-3 years
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Temperature: 20-24°C (68-75°F)
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Ventilation: Medium to High
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Humidity: 50-70% (with moisture gradient)
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Favorite food: Leaf litter, decaying wood, vegetables
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Supplements: Cuttlefish bone, crushed eggshells, limestone
Porcellio baeticensis Violet: Introduction
Porcellio baeticensis comes from the mountainous regions of southern Spain, where they inhabit rocky terrain and scrubland. The "Violet" form displays a subtle purple or violet tinge to their colouration that's most visible under natural or bright lighting—in dim conditions they can appear more grey-brown, so don't expect vivid purple straight out of the box.
This is a larger Porcellio species, with adults reaching around 2 cm. They're reasonably hardy and adaptable, making them suitable for keepers with some basic experience. They're not as bombproof as Porcellio scaber, but they're far less demanding than tropical Cubaris or more sensitive species.
One of the more interesting aspects of this species is their maternal behaviour—females actively care for their young for several weeks after birth, which is more involved than many isopod species. Combined with their reasonable size and unusual colouration, they make a good choice for keepers wanting something with a bit more character.
Porcellio baeticensis Violet: Physical Traits and Characteristics
- Medium to large for a Porcellio, with adults typically reaching 1.5-2 cm
- Violet or purple-tinged colouration, most visible under good lighting
- Colour intensity can vary between individuals—some show stronger violet tones than others
- Typical Porcellio body shape: oval, segmented, with visible uropods
- Cannot fully conglobate (roll into a complete ball) like Armadillidium species
- Relatively robust build with good-sized legs
- Males and females can be distinguished by body shape and uropod characteristics
Behaviour
Porcellio baeticensis have some behavioural traits that set them apart from more common species.
Settling in: These isopods can be shy initially. When first introduced to a new enclosure, expect them to hide and stay out of sight while they assess their surroundings. Give them time—once they've decided the environment is safe, they become more confident and will venture out even during daylight hours.
Maternal care: Females show notable parental behaviour, defending, feeding, and caring for their young for several weeks after birth. This extended maternal investment is unusual among isopods and interesting to observe if you're patient enough to catch it happening.
Territorial tendencies: Like many larger Porcellio species, they can be somewhat territorial. This means they benefit from larger enclosures with plenty of space and hiding spots to establish their own areas. Overcrowding can lead to stress.
Activity patterns: Once settled, they're reasonably active and visible compared to secretive burrowing species. You'll see them foraging and exploring, particularly in the evenings but also during the day once established.
Speed: They're fairly quick when startled and will dash for cover rather than rolling into a ball.
Diet
Porcellio baeticensis are straightforward to feed, accepting the standard isopod diet.
Primary foods:
- Dried leaf litter (oak, beech, hawthorn, and similar hardwoods)
- Decaying hardwood and bark
- Cork bark (functions as both food and shelter)
Supplementary foods:
- Vegetables: carrot, courgette, butternut squash, sweet potato
- Small amounts of fruit occasionally
- Protein sources: fish flakes, dried shrimp, or freeze-dried insects
Calcium: Essential for healthy moulting, particularly given their larger size. Provide cuttlefish bone, crushed eggshells, crushed limestone, or oyster shell as a constant calcium source in the enclosure.
Feeding approach: They're not fussy eaters. Provide a base of leaf litter and decaying wood, supplemented with vegetables every few days. Remove uneaten fresh foods within a day or two to prevent mould. Their larger size means they consume more than dwarf species, but don't overfeed—let them work through what's provided before adding more.
Porcellio baeticensis Violet: Breeding
This species breeds reasonably well in captivity under appropriate conditions.
Breeding basics:
- Females brood eggs in a marsupium and release fully formed juveniles
- Mothers actively care for young for several weeks post-birth
- Brood sizes are moderate
- Population growth is steady rather than explosive
Maternal behaviour: The extended parental care is notable. Females defend their offspring and assist with feeding during the early weeks. This behaviour is more developed than in many isopod species and adds interest for keepers who enjoy observing natural behaviours.
Conditions for breeding:
- Stable temperature within preferred range (20-24°C)
- Appropriate humidity with moisture gradient
- Adequate calcium for breeding females
- Sufficient space—territorial behaviour can interfere with breeding in cramped conditions
- Minimal disturbance during brooding periods
Colony management: Their territorial nature means you should avoid overcrowding. Provide enough space and hiding spots for multiple individuals to establish territories without constant conflict.
Porcellio baeticensis Violet: Habitat Setup
Enclosure: Larger enclosures suit this species better than cramped containers. A minimum of 15-20 litres is recommended for a colony, with larger being preferable as numbers grow. Good ventilation is important—these are Mediterranean isopods that don't thrive in stagnant, overly humid conditions.
Substrate: Use a well-draining substrate that retains some moisture without becoming waterlogged:
- Organic topsoil as a base (pesticide-free)
- Sphagnum peat moss mixed in
- Sand for drainage (optional but helpful)
- Crushed limestone or calcium powder throughout
- Leaf litter worked into the substrate and layered on top
- Decaying hardwood pieces
Substrate depth should be at least 5-8 cm to allow for some burrowing and to provide stable humidity at lower levels.
Moisture gradient: Important for this species. They prefer moderate humidity overall but need access to both drier and more humid areas. Keep approximately one quarter to one third of the enclosure more humid (using sphagnum moss or regular misting) while allowing the rest to stay drier. This mimics their natural Mediterranean habitat where they can move between microenvironments.
Overall humidity: Aim for 50-70% ambient humidity. They're more tolerant of drier conditions than tropical species but still need access to moisture for moulting and general health.
Ventilation: Good airflow is important. Use mesh lids or plenty of ventilation holes. Stagnant air causes problems—these are mountain-dwelling isopods, not rainforest species.
Décor and hides:
- Cork bark pieces and tubes (excellent for this species)
- Flat stones or slate
- Hardwood branches and bark
- Generous leaf litter coverage
- Sphagnum moss in the humid corner
- Live plants and moss if desired—they generally won't damage healthy plants
Provide plenty of hiding spots and territorial markers. The more structure in the enclosure, the more natural behaviour you'll observe and the less conflict between individuals.
Temperature: They prefer slightly cooler conditions than some species—20-24°C is ideal. They'll tolerate room temperature in most UK homes comfortably. Avoid high temperatures above 26°C, which can stress them.
Lighting: Normal room lighting is fine. The violet colouration shows best under good lighting, so don't keep them in complete darkness if you want to appreciate their appearance. That said, provide plenty of hiding spots so they can retreat from light when they want to.
Cohabitation
Porcellio baeticensis can live alongside other terrarium inhabitants and selected isopod species, though their size and territorial nature should be considered.
With other isopods: Can coexist with other species in large enclosures, but may outcompete smaller, slower-breeding isopods over time. Best kept as a single-species colony if you want to maintain numbers, or mixed only with similarly robust species.
In bioactive setups: Work well as cleanup crew in temperate or Mediterranean-style bioactive enclosures. Their size makes them suitable for enclosures with medium-sized reptiles. They're less likely to be eaten than smaller species but may be targeted by larger predatory inhabitants.
Suitability
Porcellio baeticensis Violet are suitable for keepers with basic isopod experience who want something slightly different from common species.
Good choice for:
- Keepers wanting a larger, visually interesting Porcellio
- Those interested in observing parental behaviour
- Mediterranean or temperate bioactive setups
- Hobbyists moving beyond basic species without jumping to demanding exotics
Not ideal for:
- Complete beginners (start with P. scaber or P. laevis)
- Very small enclosures
- High-humidity tropical setups
- Keepers wanting vivid, obvious colouration (the violet is subtle)
Care level: Low difficulty overall. They're hardy and adaptable once established, though they benefit from proper setup with adequate space and ventilation. Less forgiving than P. scaber but significantly easier than sensitive tropical species.
