Porcellio spatulatus "Coros" is a locale of the spatulatus species originating from Coros in Sardinia. Known for their distinctive flattened body shape and attractive colouration, they stand out from more commonly kept Porcellio species. They prefer drier conditions than many isopods, making them suitable for keepers maintaining arid or semi-arid bioactive setups. Their unusual appearance and moderate care requirements make them an interesting addition for hobbyists looking to expand beyond standard species.
A Glimpse
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Origin: Coros, Sardinia
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Scientific Name: Porcellio spatulatus "Coros"
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Maintenance required: Low to Medium
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Average Size: 1.5-2 cm
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Rarity: Medium to High
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Lifespan: 2-3 years
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Temperature: 18-28°C (64-82°F)
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Ventilation: High
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Humidity: 45-55% (drier than most species)
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Favorite food: Decaying wood, leaf litter, vegetables
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Supplements: Cuttlefish bone, crushed limestone, eggshells
Porcellio spatulatus Coros: Introduction
Porcellio spatulatus is named for its spatula-shaped body—flatter and broader than many Porcellio species. The "Coros" locale comes from the Sardinian town of Coros and displays the attractive colouration this species is known for.
What sets spatulatus apart from more commonly kept isopods is their preference for drier conditions. While most isopods thrive in moderate to high humidity, spatulatus do best in environments that would be too dry for many other species. This makes them particularly useful for keepers maintaining arid bioactive setups or those who struggle with high-humidity enclosures.
Their flattened body shape is an adaptation to their natural habitat, allowing them to squeeze into tight spaces under bark and rocks. Combined with their colouration, it gives them a distinctive appearance that appeals to collectors wanting something different from the usual rounded Porcellio body shape.
Porcellio spatulatus Coros: Physical Traits and Characteristics
- Adults reach approximately 1.5-2 cm in length
- Distinctively flattened, spatula-shaped body
- Attractive colouration with variations between individuals
- Wide, flat uropods (tail sections) that aid in balance and movement
- Hard, segmented exoskeleton
- Broader body profile compared to species like P. scaber or P. laevis
- Cannot fully conglobate—rely on speed and finding cover for defence
Behaviour
Porcellio spatulatus Coros display typical Porcellio behaviour with some notable characteristics.
Activity patterns: Primarily nocturnal. They're most active during dusk and dawn, spending daylight hours sheltering under bark, leaf litter, and other cover. Once established and comfortable, you may see them out foraging at various times.
Clustering: They tend to group together under cover during the day. This social behaviour is common among isopods and indicates they feel secure in their environment.
Movement: Their flattened body shape allows them to move efficiently into tight spaces. They're reasonably quick when disturbed and will dash for cover.
Temperament: Peaceful and non-aggressive. They coexist well with other invertebrates and terrarium inhabitants without causing problems.
Defence: They can't roll into a complete ball like Armadillidium species. When threatened, they rely on their speed and ability to wedge into tight spaces for protection.
Diet
Porcellio spatulatus Coros are detritivores with straightforward dietary needs.
Primary foods:
- Decaying hardwood (they particularly enjoy white-rotted wood)
- Dried leaf litter (oak, beech, and similar hardwoods)
- Cork bark
- Bark pieces
Supplementary foods:
- Vegetables: carrot, courgette, sweet potato, cucumber
- Fresh fruits in small amounts
- Fish flakes or dried shrimp for protein
- Dried greens
Calcium: Important for healthy moulting and exoskeleton development. Provide cuttlefish bone, crushed limestone, crushed oyster shell, or powdered eggshells as a constant calcium source.
Feeding approach: Maintain a base of leaf litter and decaying wood in the enclosure. Supplement with vegetables and protein sources every few days. Remove uneaten fresh foods within 24-48 hours—in drier enclosures mould is less of an issue than in humid setups, but food can still spoil and attract pests.
Porcellio spatulatus Coros: Breeding
This species breeds reasonably well in captivity under appropriate conditions.
Breeding basics:
- Females carry eggs in a marsupium and release fully formed juveniles
- Breeding rate is moderate
- Brood sizes are reasonable
- Population growth is steady under good conditions
Conditions for breeding:
- Appropriate dry conditions (45-55% humidity)
- Stable temperature within preferred range
- Good ventilation
- Adequate calcium availability
- Sufficient hiding spots
Colony management: They don't breed as explosively as some Porcellio species, but populations will grow consistently. Their preference for drier conditions means you don't need to worry as much about humidity-related breeding issues that can affect other species.
Porcellio spatulatus Coros: Habitat Setup
Getting the enclosure right for spatulatus means understanding their preference for drier conditions.
Enclosure: A well-ventilated plastic container or terrarium works well. Good airflow is important—use mesh lids or plenty of ventilation holes. A 10-15 litre container suits a starter colony, with larger enclosures for growing populations.
Substrate: Use a substrate that doesn't retain excessive moisture:
- Organic topsoil as a base (pesticide-free)
- Sphagnum peat moss mixed in sparingly
- Sand mixed in for drainage
- Crushed limestone or calcium powder throughout
- Leaf litter layered on top
- Decaying hardwood pieces
Keep the substrate on the drier side compared to what you'd use for humidity-loving species. It should have some moisture content but not feel damp throughout.
Humidity: Lower than most isopod species—aim for 45-55%. This is significantly drier than tropical or cave-dwelling species require. Provide a small moist area (using sphagnum moss in one corner) so they can access moisture when needed for moulting, but keep the majority of the enclosure dry.
Lightly mist occasionally if needed, but avoid making the enclosure consistently wet. Overly humid conditions can cause problems for this species.
Ventilation: High ventilation is important. Good airflow prevents humidity building up and keeps conditions within their preferred range. Mesh lids or substantial ventilation holes on multiple sides work well.
Décor and hides:
- Cork bark pieces and tubes (excellent hiding spots)
- Flat bark pieces
- Flat stones or slate
- Leaf litter coverage
- Wood pieces
- Some dry moss patches
Their flattened body shape means they'll utilise tight spaces between bark and substrate. Provide layered hiding spots with flat materials they can squeeze under.
Temperature: They tolerate a reasonable range (18-28°C). Room temperature in most UK homes works well. Avoid temperature extremes but don't stress about minor fluctuations—they're reasonably adaptable.
Bioactive Use
Porcellio spatulatus Coros are well-suited to arid and semi-arid bioactive setups.
Best suited for:
- Arid bioactive enclosures
- Bearded dragon setups
- Leopard gecko enclosures
- Uromastyx habitats
- Desert or Mediterranean-style vivariums
- Any setup where drier conditions are maintained
Advantages:
- Thrive in conditions too dry for most isopod species
- Functional decomposers in arid environments
- Won't struggle with the low humidity that stresses humidity-loving species
- Attractive appearance adds interest to display setups
Considerations:
- Not suitable for tropical or high-humidity enclosures
- May be outcompeted by humidity-loving species in wetter setups
- Their drier requirements mean they're not interchangeable with standard cleanup crew isopods
Suitability
Porcellio spatulatus Coros are suitable for keepers wanting an attractive species adapted to drier conditions.
Good choice for:
- Keepers maintaining arid or semi-arid bioactive setups
- Those who struggle with high-humidity enclosures
- Collectors wanting something visually distinctive
- Bioactive setups for desert-dwelling reptiles
- Anyone looking for a drier-environment isopod option
Not ideal for:
- Tropical or high-humidity setups (choose humidity-loving species instead)
- Complete beginners (start with P. scaber or similar hardy species)
- Keepers without experience maintaining drier conditions
Care level: Low to medium difficulty. They're not demanding once you understand their preference for drier conditions. The main consideration is avoiding the instinct to keep things too moist—what would be appropriate humidity for most isopods is too wet for spatulatus. Keepers experienced with arid setups will find them straightforward.
Value: Good value for an attractive locale with practical applications in arid bioactive setups. They fill a niche that many isopod species can't—thriving where humidity-lovers would struggle—making them genuinely useful rather than just visually appealing.
