Experience the vibrant beauty of our stunning Porcellio Silvestri High Orange Isopods! These exceptional Mediterranean woodlice showcase brilliant orange coloration that ranges from sunset amber to deep burnt orange, creating one of the most visually striking colour morphs in the Porcellio family. This selectively bred variety represents years of careful cultivation to achieve these intense orange hues that make them true showstoppers in any bioactive setup. Perfect for enthusiasts seeking both visual impact and reliable performance from their cleanup crews.
A Glimpse
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Origin: Mediterranean Europe (Selectively bred from Italian stock)
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Scientific Name: Porcellio silvestri "High Orange"
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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℃-24℃ (64℉-75℉)
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Ventilation: Moderate
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Humidity: 50-70%
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Favorite food: Leaf litter, sweet vegetables, organic matter
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Supplements: Cuttlebone, crushed limestone, calcium powder
Porcellio Silvestri High Orange: Introduction
These remarkable isopods represent one of the most sought-after colour variations of the hardy Mediterranean Porcellio silvestri species. Through selective breeding programs, dedicated cultivators have enhanced the natural orange pigmentation found in wild populations to create these spectacular "High Orange" specimens. The intensity of their coloration can vary from bright sunset orange to deep amber, with some individuals displaying almost flame-like intensity that seems to glow under terrarium lighting.
Native to the rocky Mediterranean coastlines and woodland areas, the base species has been adapted through generations of careful selection to emphasize the most vibrant orange traits while maintaining their renowned hardiness and adaptability.
Physical Traits and Characteristics
- These medium-sized terrestrial isopods display the classic robust Porcellio body shape with well-defined segmentation and prominent antennae
- Their most striking feature is the intense orange coloration that covers most of their exoskeleton, ranging from bright tangerine to deep burnt orange
- The orange pigmentation is most vivid along the edges and can create beautiful gradient effects across their segments
- Some specimens may display subtle darker banding or mottling that enhances the overall visual impact
- They possess the typical Porcellio oval-shaped, slightly flattened body perfect for navigating tight spaces in substrate and bark
- Adult specimens reach an impressive 1.5-2cm in length, making their brilliant coloration easily observable and appreciated
- Unlike pill bugs, they cannot roll into a complete ball but will curl defensively when threatened
- Their relatively thick exoskeleton not only provides protection but serves as the canvas for their stunning coloration
- Active and confident foragers that aren't shy about displaying their beautiful colours during exploration
Diet
Porcellio Silvestri High Orange isopods are excellent decomposers with hearty appetites that help maintain their vibrant coloration. In their natural habitat, they consume decaying plant matter, fallen leaves, and rotting wood. To maintain and enhance their brilliant orange hues, provide a varied diet rich in carotenoids and nutrients.
Excellent food choices include leaf litter (particularly oak, beech, and maple), orange and yellow vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, and bell peppers, which can help maintain their vibrant coloration. Commercial isopod foods formulated with natural colour enhancers work particularly well for this variety.
Calcium supplementation is crucial for healthy molting and shell development - provide cuttlebone, crushed eggshells, or limestone powder regularly. Protein sources such as fish food flakes, dried shrimp, or specialized protein supplements support healthy growth and reproduction.
Feed appropriate portions that can be consumed within 2-3 days to prevent mold issues. These efficient cleaners will help break down organic waste while adding a splash of brilliant colour to your terrarium ecosystem.
Porcellio Silvestri High Orange: Personality
These vibrant isopods display the confident, active personality characteristic of the Porcellio silvestri species. They're bold foragers who aren't afraid to venture into the open, making them excellent display animals as their stunning coloration is frequently on show. Their Mediterranean hardiness translates into a resilient, adaptable nature that makes them forgiving of minor care variations.
They're generally peaceful and can coexist well with other similarly-sized isopod species, though their striking appearance often makes them the star attraction of mixed colonies. These isopods are curious and will readily investigate new food items or environmental changes, making them engaging to observe.
Their robust nature means they're relatively tolerant of brief handling for terrarium maintenance, though like all isopods, they prefer minimal disturbance. When threatened, they'll curl partially and may remain motionless, but they quickly resume normal activity once they feel secure.
Breeding
Porcellio Silvestri High Orange isopods are reliable breeders that will readily reproduce in suitable conditions. The orange coloration is a heritable trait, though intensity can vary among offspring. Selective breeding by retaining the most vibrantly coloured individuals can help maintain and even enhance the orange characteristics over generations.
Females reach sexual maturity at 3-4 months and carry eggs in their marsupium for 4-6 weeks. Each brood typically produces 20-40 offspring, with the young emerging as miniature versions of their parents. The orange coloration develops and intensifies as the young mature through successive molts.
For optimal breeding success, maintain stable humidity around 60-70%, provide abundant calcium sources, and ensure adequate protein in their diet. The young will initially stay near their mother before dispersing throughout the enclosure, and multiple generations can coexist peacefully in well-maintained setups.
Breeding these isopods can be particularly rewarding as you may occasionally produce offspring with even more intense orange coloration than their parents.
Creating the Perfect Habitat
Porcellio Silvestri High Orange isopods thrive in well-balanced terrarium setups that reflect their Mediterranean origins while showcasing their brilliant coloration. Use a quality substrate mix of soil, coconut coir, and decomposed leaf matter with a depth of at least 5cm for natural burrowing behaviors.
Create a moisture gradient with one section kept slightly more humid than the other, allowing the isopods to self-regulate their hydration needs. Their orange coloration is particularly striking against dark substrates and green moss, so consider the visual presentation when designing the layout.
Provide abundant hiding spots using cork bark, flat stones, or ceramic tiles. The contrast between their bright orange bodies and natural brown cork bark creates particularly stunning visual effects. Add dried leaves both as food sources and shelter - the warm tones of autumn leaves complement their coloration beautifully.
Maintain stable temperatures between 18-24℃ and ensure adequate ventilation without over-drying the enclosure. Including some limestone or crushed oyster shell in the substrate provides ongoing calcium supplementation while supporting their natural preference for slightly alkaline conditions.
Consider terrarium lighting that enhances their orange coloration - warm LED lights can make their colours appear even more vivid and create an impressive display piece that showcases these remarkable creatures at their best.
