Powder Orange Isopods For Sale

Powder Orange isopod also known as Porcellionides pruinosus. These terrestrial species are a distinct orange hue, which contrast the environment they live. Due to this colour and its striking feature, they are a popularly chosen for terrarium and vivarium. 

Insight

• Scientific Name: Porcellionides pruinosus
• Origin: Southern Europe, Mediterranean
• Maintenance: Low
• Size: 3 cm.
• Lifespan: 1 to 2 years
• Reproduction: Egg layer
• Humidity:60%
• Temperature: 65°F to 85°F
• Rarity: Low
• Supplements: Cuttlebone, calcium powder

Powder Orange Isopods: Abstract

Powder Orange Isopods originated from warm humid climates of Southern Europe, in the Mediterranean region. Due to its popularity now they’re found worldwide. 

The Powder Orange isopods got its name from its striking orange to tan shade colour and the powdery appearance on the exoskeleton. They originated from the mutation of the Powder Blue isopods. These creatures are hardy, prolific and their diet is bigger than their body. 

Due to their striking appearance they are widely appreciated in the terrarium and vivarium communities and also among isopod loving enthusiasts

Powder Orange Isopods: Characteristics and Behaviour

• They are originated from the Mediterranean region specifically from Southern Europe
• They can survive extreme environments but they like slightly humid environments.
• These species are orange mutation of Powder Blue isopods
• Their carapace is soft unlike other isopods. They are used as snacks for other creatures like frogs, lizards
• These species are medium-sized and they grow up to 3 cm in length.
• They are non aggressive and have a calm temperament.
• They are detritivores. They are the Clean-up crew in the terrarium and vivarium.
• They are more active at night than during daytime.
• These creatures are fast and they run and hide when threatened.
• They are known for social behaviour, thrive in groups
• They are hardy and highly proactive
• They are beginner friendly
• They are not suitable for small kids as these species are soft bodied and kids may not be able to handle it.

Powder Orange Isopods: Temperature and Humidity

Orange Isopods are best suited for beginners. This is because they adapt to a wide range of temperature and moisture.

Even the ideal temperature for these critters should be around 75°F. This temperature is more conducive for them to stay in the area.

The Powder Orange isopods are originally from a tropical and arid climate. Therefore humidity is crucial and has to be maintained accordingly. The humidity gradient has to be around 65% but anything above 50% humidity is fine for these species.

Food and Diet

The Powder Orange isopods have a voracious appetite. It is surprising how much these critters can eat. They primarily feed on detritus. They consume dead organic matter. Therefore, they help maintain bioactive cleanliness.

Powder Orange Isopods eat pretty much anything. Like most isopods, they eat leaf litters and decaying cork bark.  But unlike their natural habitat, it is crucial to provide sufficient nutrients for them in an artificial enclosure.  

• Vegetables: carrots, sweet potatoes, greens. This acts as an alternate food from their usual dried leaf and decayed wood diet. 

• Protein rich food : Protein is crucial as this helps to maintain their exoskeleton. Also because these creatures are active, especially during night, it is important to provide sufficient nutrition. Fish food, meat scraps, earthworm castings are some of the food given for their calcium and protein. Sometimes supplements like Cuttlebone or calcium powder are also added as alternate source of protein. 

• Specialised isopod food : Sometimes for the isopods to get all the nutrition it is easier to provide specialised isopod food. 

When feeding the isopods, there is a common mistake done by pet parents, which is overfeeding. Overfeeding will attract unwanted pests into the enclosure. Therefore it is necessary to feed them the necessary amount of food that they can finish in a single session. 

Powder Orange Isopods: Breeding

• Powder Orange isopods breeding process is called “Pairing”.
• Two isopods mate to produce offspring. 
• The male transfer their spermatophore to the female isopod
• The female isopods extract the spermatophore and store it in her reproductive tract.
• These later help to fertilise and lay numerous eggs in soil or other soft object.
• The eggs incubate for several weeks till it hatch
• The offspring hatched will go through a series of molting till it reaches the adulthood stage.

Powder Orange Isopods: Artificial Enclosure Setting

Powder Orange Isopods prefer an arid humid habitat. As a small species, an average size enclosure made of plastic or glass will be suitable to begin. This is apt for those who have started with their isopod journey. 

Once it starts showing positive signs like breeding and multiplying their numbers, which they will as they are very proficient, upgrade their enclosure to a bigger size. Make sure to provide small holes as they tend to break out when the ventilation is too big. Provide just enough ventilation so that the enclosure doesn’t get too humid. It attracts pests.

When providing humidity to the enclosure, make sure to leave an area dry. When spraying water, make sure to do that in one area and leave other areas dry.

Provide a good number of options for them to crawl and dig. Powder Orange isopods are more terrestrial creatures than burrowers. Equip the enclosure with dried leaves, wooden pieces, moss for these creatures to crawl and explore. It is quite a sight to watch them crawling. 

Powder orange isopods are social creatures. They live well in colonies. Accompanying them with springtails will help keep the biosphere clean. Also add some terrestrial snails as they live together well in a humid environment.

Powder Orange Isopods: Substrate   

ABG Substrate mix is provided for Powder Orange Isopod. This substrate mix when topped with dried leaf litter as food is best suitable for these critters. 

An alternate substrate mix for Powder Orange isopods will be by providing coco peat, sphagnum moss and plenty of leaf litter. 

Both substrate mixes are suitable for the Isopods. Provide good depth of substrate base for the creatures to dig. Also provide a lot of options for the isopods to crawl and hide. They are active creatures, especially at night. Therefore, provide the enclosure with wood bark, rotten wood and dried leaves.

Occasionally provide them earthworm casting as supplement to the substrate. This ensures to keep the isopods healthy.

By ensuring these methods, the Powder isopods will thrive well and produce a lot of mini isopods.