Irrespective of their small size, isopods are complex creatures to keep, precisely making beginners struggle with them. However, you can find an easy species, which is relatively less difficult, and you can easily own them in a vivarium. Out of all the easy species, Lake Garda Isopods can be your ideal choice, and as the very name suggests, their origin is Lake Garda in Italy. Compared to other species, Lake Garda isopods are bigger and have neon yellow/white and black markings on their body, which makes them more attractive to look at.
Lake Garda Isopods: A Glimpse
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Origin: Lake Garda, Italy
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Scientific Name: Armadillidium tirolense “Lake Garda”
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Difficulty: Easy
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Rarity: Rare
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Temperature: 18-26°C
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Humidity: 50-70%
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Size: 2.4 cm
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Favorable Foods: Root vegetables like carrots and acorn squash, leaf litter, decaying wood, and dog biscuits.
An Overview
In the northern of Italy lies Lake Garda, which is home to unique isopods, including Armadillidium tirolense, referred to as the Lake Garda Isopod, and is one of the largest species. With the tendency to grow to 2.4 cm, these isopods are laid back in nature.
As for appearance, Lake Garda isopods have neon yellow or white spots that appear more prominent on their dark bodies, giving them a unique look that most keepers appreciate.
Better than other species, Lake Garda isopods are easy to keep if you create the perfect setup and let them breed peacefully without external threats.
Lake Garda Isopods: Basic Care
These tips will help you take good care of your isopods:
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Without a saying, temperature and humidity work as essential factors for the better survival of these species.
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Isopods may not be very fast, they still can escape and this is why, you must use a secured container with lid while ensuring that you are catering to their needs.
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The health of your isopods is of utmost important and you must do all to keep it in check like using a substrate mix.
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A balanced diet to grow and breed is also important, so make sure to feed them properly and not keep them hungry for too long, as it is not good for their health.
Lake Garda Isopods: Feeding
The feeding shouldn’t be taken like a random task and you must feed only the best. Their primary diet consists of decaying plant matter like wood and leaf litter available on the forest floor, so you should provide the same in captivity. Supplemental foods like root vegetables, fish flakes, and calcium sources are also essential, so you cannot miss out on them.
Lake Garda Isopods: Appearance & Behaviour
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Lake Garda isopods are bigger than other species and can grow up to 2.4 cm if the conditions are favorable.
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They have black and neon yellow/white markings on their body that are vibrant and a part of their physical characteristics.
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From the family of Armadillidium species, Lake Garda Isopods have a distinctive feature of rolling into a ball as soon as they sense fear or danger nearby.
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Highly sensitive to temperature and humidity changes, they burrow deeper into the soil during hot and dry conditions and become active only if the environment is cool and moist.
Lake Garda Isopods: Habitat
Lake Garda isopods need a humid and well-ventilated environment similar to their natural habitat and plenty of leaf litter to burrow and hide in. However, you shouldn’t overly wet the terrarium because it bothers them and creates issues for their health, which you don’t want your little friends to experience.
Lake Garda Isopods: Substrate Mix
If you want to see your isopods thrive, use a good substrate mix that is a mix of organic topsoil, coconut fiber, and sphagnum moss, as they retain moisture really well. You can also add leaf litter and decaying wood so your isopods always have a natural food source ready. As for supplements, add crushed limestone or eggshells because they are good for their exoskeleton and make it strong and hardy, as it should be.
