Porcellio Expansus Orange Isopods For Sale

These isopods have a striking appearance, which sets them apart from other isopods. The bright orange colour of their flat body is eye-catching and makes these isopods look unique.

Expansus Orange Isopods: A Glimpse

• Origin: Europe
• Scientific Name: Porcellio expansus
• Difficulty Level: Easy
• Size: 3.5 cm
• Rarity: Medium
• Temperature: 20°C to 25°C
• Humidity: 60% to 80%
• Favourite Foods: Leaves, wood, vegetables, fruits, fish flakes, and shrimp pellets

Expansus Orange Isopods: An Overview

Expansus Orange happens to be one of the most captivating isopod species out there. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions of Europe and are known for their stunning orange-coloured exoskeleton. This is one of the major reasons behind the popularity of these isopods among terrarium and vivarium enthusiasts.

Many hobbyists keep them as pets because of their lovely colour and large size, which sets them apart from other isopods. Even though these isopods are a bit rare than other species, they can be found in different regions in Europe. The best thing about these isopods is that they are easy to care for. Unlike other isopod species, you don’t have to do much to care for them.

For those who don’t know, Expansus Orange plays a crucial role in breaking down organic material, making it a great cleaner for bioactive enclosures. These isopods can thrive in a range of temperatures and humidity levels, making them more versatile than other species.

If you want to keep isopods, Expansus Orange could be a great choice, especially for those with less experience with these creatures. In comparison to other isopods, Expansus Orange is more docile and social.

Expansus Orange Isopods: Basic Care

To keep your isopods in good health, you must follow these instructions. Here’s what you need to do:

• For Expansus Orange, you can use a small to medium-sized terrarium. Just make sure that it has a lid so you can prevent these tiny creatures from escaping the enclosure.
• Whether you choose a terrarium or a plastic container, ensure enough space for the isopods to move around.
• The ideal temperature range for Expansus Orange is between 20°C and 25°C, so you need to ensure that the temperature doesn’t fluctuate much. You can use a low-wattage heat lamp or heat mat to maintain a consistent temperature inside the terrarium.
• Humidity levels need to be between 60% and 80%. You can easily achieve this by misting the enclosure with water.
• Proper ventilation is also important for the terrarium; otherwise, it may get mouldy, harming your isopods.
• These isopods are shy in nature, so you should create hiding spots inside the enclosure. You can use stones, leaf litter, and cork bark to create multiple hiding spots for these tiny creatures.

Expansus Orange Isopods: Feeding

In comparison to other isopods, Expansus Orange has a much simpler diet. Since they are omnivorous, you can feed them decaying organic matter and protein-rich foods.

The best food choices are fruits and vegetables like apples, carrots, and cucumbers. You can also give vegetation a mixture of decaying wood, leaf litter, and bark.

You must also provide protein-rich foods to your isopods, especially during moulting. You can rely on food items like fish flakes, cooked chicken, and shrimp pallets.

For calcium, you can give them a small piece of cuttlebone or powdered calcium. It is better to sprinkle the powder on their food so that it is easier for them to eat.

Expansus Orange Isopods: Appearance and Behaviour

The first thing you will notice about Expansus Orange is its striking orange-coloured exoskeleton. Plus, it is much bigger in size than other isopods. Because of these reasons, many hobbyists choose Expansus Orange over other isopods.

So that you know, an adult Expansus Orange can grow up to 2 cm. They have oval-shaped bodies with proper segmentation and a hard exoskeleton that protects them from predators.

In terms of behaviour, Expansus Orange are non-aggressive and peaceful. Since they are nocturnal creatures, they prefer to live in dark, damp places. They become more active at night, the perfect time to search for food and explore their surroundings.

Expansus Orange Isopods: Habitat

If you plan to keep Expansus Orange as pets, it is important to create a proper habitat for them. This means creating an environment similar to their natural habitat. These isopods are found under moist, decaying leaf litter, logs, and rocks in the wild. Therefore, you need to provide a substrate that can retain moisture.

Since Expansus Orange thrives in humid environments, it is important to maintain high moisture levels. To this end, you should mist the substrate regularly but not overdo it.

It is also important to maintain the ideal temperature between 20°C and 25°C. Additionally, you must put cork bark, stones, and other items to create a nice shelter for your isopods. These things mimic their natural environment and provide a safe hiding place when disturbed.

Expansus Orange Isopods: Substrate Mix

Substrates are one of the most important things to worry about when keeping isopods. You cannot just use any substrate mix you like. For Expansus Orange, you should use a substrate that can retain moisture for a long time. This will help you regulate the humidity and temperature levels inside the enclosure.

Checkout our guide here for info on what we do here at PostPods for substrate.

Additionally, you can add small pieces of decaying wood, which provides a place to hide. After preparing the substrate, ensure it is at least a few inches deep so your isopods can burrow. These isopods spend much time digging into the substrate to find shelter.