Armadillidium Beieri Isopods

Armadillidium Beieri Isopods are gaining popularity in the hobby due to their energetic nature and appearance. It doesn't take a lot of effort to have these isopods as pets. All you have to do is provide them with a safe environment and meet the care requirements.

Armadillidium Beieri Isopods: A Glimpse

• Origin: Greece
• Scientific Name: Armadillidium Beieri
• Difficulty Level: Easy
• Size: 12-18 mm
• Rarity: Medium
• Temperature: 17 – 28°C
• Humidity: 60 – 70%
• Favourite Foods: Veggies, fruits, greens, decaying leaves, fish food, forest moss, rotting white wood, lichen, moulting of reptiles and invertebrates

Armadillidium Beieri Isopods: An Overview

Armadillidium Beieri happens to be a unique isopod species that is commonly known as "pill bugs." An interesting thing about these isopods is that they roll into a tight ball whenever threatened. This particular species belongs to the Armadillidiidae family, known for its rolling defence mechanism that sets them apart from other isopods.

Many collectors and hobbyists prefer Armadillidium Beieri mainly because of its behaviour and striking appearance. This species originated in Greece, but it is also found in other regions of Europe, most commonly in mountainous areas where the weather is cool and humid.

If you are considering adding Armadillidium Beieri to your collection, you must understand the requirements for taking care. Unlike other isopods, Armadillidium Beieri is not difficult to care for but needs the right humidity and temperature to thrive.

Armadillidium Beieri Isopods: Basic Care

Let us now talk about the basic care requirements of Armadillidium Beieri. Following the instructions is important if you want your isopods to be happy and healthy.

• You need a well-ventilated enclosure to keep Armadillidium Beieri isopods. In this case, you can use a plastic or glass terrarium, especially those with lids. This will help retain moisture and allow proper airflow within the enclosure.
• The ideal temperature for Armadillidium Beieri is between 17°C and 28°C. You can maintain the right temperature by keeping them away from extreme cold or heat. During winter, you can use heating pads or lamps to keep the enclosure warm.
• As far as the humidity level is concerned, make sure it is between 60-70%. You can easily achieve this by misting the enclosure regularly. Alternatively, you can use a moisture-retaining substrate.
• It is important to make sure that the enclosure is big enough for the isopods to roam and explore freely. It is recommended you choose 10 gallons for a small colony.
• Like other isopods, Armadillidium Beieri enjoys hiding places in their enclosure, providing them with a sense of security and courage. Also, they need hiding spots to rest. In this case, you can use items like cork bark, leaf litter, or rocks to create a safe environment within the enclosure.
• , Armadillidium Beieri needs proper ventilation, so look for one with adequate ventilation. This is crucial to preventing mould growth or excess dampness, which can hurt your isopods' health.

Armadillidium Beieri Isopods: Feeding

Before you include them in your collection, you must know that Armadillidium Beieri isopods are natural detritivores. This means they feed on decaying organic matter like leaf litter, decaying wood, and plant matter.

The primary diet of Armadillidium Beieri isopods includes plant matter, leaf litter, and decaying wood. They prefer oak, beech, and magnolia leaves the most in leaf litter.

In addition to the primary diet, you should also provide them with fresh vegetables like zucchini, carrots, and cucumbers. As for their protein source, you can give them fish flakes, dried shrimp, or cuttlebone.

It is also crucial to provide them with sufficient calcium. A cuttlebone or a calcium-rich supplement would be fine for this.

Armadillidium Beieri Isopods: Appearance And Behaviour

• Armadillidium Beieri isopods have a segmented body with a hard, greyish exoskeleton that is slightly rounded. This helps them to roll into a ball when threatened.
• They are usually grey or brown, but some of them may display subtle colour variations depending on their diet and environment.
• These isopods can grow up to 12-18 mm when fully mature. This makes them a medium-sized species.
• They are mainly active at night and enjoy creating burrows in the substrate. They tend to hide under objects to rest and protect themselves from enemies. Since isopods are social animals, they tend to thrive in groups.

Armadillidium Beieri Isopods: Habitat

Armadillidium Beieri isopods are commonly found in forest areas and mountainous regions with cool and humid climates. They are native to Greece and tend to thrive in the areas with plenty of leaf litter, decaying wood, and other organic matter. This provides a perfect environment for these small creatures to grow and multiply.

Talking about their natural habitat is similar to a forest floor environment, where they can hide under rocks, logs, or leaves. To keep these isopods in a terrarium, it is important to create a similar habitat. This way, you can keep them happy and healthy in your home.

Another important thing to note is the humidity level. Unless you maintain the right humidity within the enclosure, they may not survive. In the wild, they live in a habitat with plenty of moisture, so make sure you do the same when keeping them in an enclosure.

Armadillidium Beieri Isopods: Substrate Mix

The substrate mix you choose for Armadillidium Beieri plays a crucial role in maintaining the environment for these isopods. A well-prepared substrate helps retain moisture and provides a safe place to thrive and maintain good overall health.

You can use a mix of coco fibre, organic topsoil, and sand for the base substrate. This mixture helps retain moisture and allows them to burrow in, extending their life while managing their health.

You can use leaf litter and spread it over the base substrate to provide an extra layer of moisture retention and shelter. Adding crushed eggshells or cuttlebone to the substrate is also a good idea, as it offers a natural source of calcium.