Porcellio scaber "Whiteout" is a striking colour morph of the common rough woodlouse, displaying near-complete lack of pigmentation that results in a yellowish-white body with white eyes and semi-transparent skirts. Despite the name, they're not pure white - there's typically a subtle yellowish or cream tint, and their translucent quality means their diet can slightly influence their colouration. They're one of the more attractive P. scaber morphs available, and being a scaber, they retain all the hardiness and ease of care that makes this species a hobby staple.
A Glimpse
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Origin: Europe (selectively bred morph)
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Scientific Name: Porcellio scaber "Whiteout"
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Maintenance required: Low
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Average Size: Up to 18mm
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Rarity: Low-Medium
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Lifespan: 2-3 years
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Temperature: 60°F-79°F (17°C-26°C)
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Ventilation: Medium-High
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Humidity: 50-60%
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Favourite food: Leaf litter, rotting wood, vegetables
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Supplements: Fish flakes, cuttlefish bone
Whiteout Scaber Isopods: Introduction
Whiteout Scabers are a hypomelanistic or albinistic morph of Porcellio scaber - the same common rough woodlouse found across Europe and the UK. This morph produces little to no pigment, resulting in their characteristic pale appearance with white eyes.
Like other P. scaber morphs, Whiteouts are genuinely easy to keep. They're forgiving of beginner mistakes, breed readily, and tolerate a wide range of conditions. If you can keep any isopod alive, you can keep these. The main difference from other scaber morphs is purely cosmetic - their care requirements are identical to Ghost, Orange, Dalmatian, or any other P. scaber variety.
One interesting quirk of this morph: because they're somewhat translucent, what they eat can subtly influence their appearance. Feed them something with carotenoids and you might notice a slight colour shift for a day or two.
Whiteout Scaber Isopods: Physical Traits and Characteristics
- Adults reach approximately 18mm - a decent size for observation.
- Body colour is yellowish-white to cream, not pure white despite the name.
- Eyes are white, distinguishing them from some other pale morphs.
- Semi-transparent "skirts" (edges) add to their pale appearance.
- Some individuals may display faint V-shaped markings on their backs.
- The characteristic rough, tuberculate texture of P. scaber is retained.
- Hard, calcified exoskeletons - rigid rather than soft.
- Cannot roll into a complete ball like Armadillidium species.
- Fast movers - they rely on speed when disturbed.
Whiteout Scaber Isopods: Diet
Whiteout Scabers have the same healthy appetite as all P. scaber morphs.
Leaf litter is the foundation of their diet. Oak, beech, and other hardwood leaves should always be available. They seem to prefer slightly aged leaves over completely fresh ones.
Rotting wood, particularly white-rotted softwood, provides essential nutrition. Include pieces in the enclosure for ongoing grazing.
Vegetables like carrots, sweet potato, squash, and cucumber are readily accepted. Remove uneaten portions after a day or two to prevent mould.
Protein is important for this species - they have higher protein requirements than some other isopods. Offer fish flakes, dried shrimp, or similar 1-2 times per week.
Calcium via cuttlefish bone, crushed eggshells, or limestone supports successful moulting and maintains their exoskeleton.
Whiteout Scaber Isopods: Behaviour
Whiteout Scabers are active isopods. Unlike shy tropical Cubaris, these will actually move around where you can see them. They're active during the day as well as at night, particularly in mornings and evenings.
They're social and naturally aggregate in favoured spots. When disturbed, they scatter quickly - speed is their defence since they can't roll into a protective ball.
Their pale colouration makes them particularly visible against dark substrates, which can be either a benefit (easier to observe) or a consideration (more visible to any predators in a bioactive setup).
Whiteout Scaber Isopods: Breeding
P. scaber morphs are prolific breeders. Under good conditions, colonies establish and grow quickly. Females carry eggs in a brood pouch and release fully-formed miniature isopods.
You can expect to see juveniles within weeks of setting up a colony. The pale babies are easy to spot against darker substrates. This makes Whiteout Scabers excellent for building up numbers quickly, whether for bioactive cleanup crews or as feeders.
Growth rate is fast compared to tropical species - another advantage of this hardy European species.
Whiteout Scaber Isopods: Habitat
A 6-litre container works for a starter colony. Larger enclosures allow populations to grow more substantially.
Temperature: Very adaptable - 60-79°F (17-26°C) covers their comfortable range. Room temperature in most UK homes works year-round.
Humidity: This is a semi-arid species. Keep humidity around 50-60% with a clear moisture gradient. Around one-third of the enclosure should be kept slightly moist using sphagnum moss, while the rest remains drier.
Ventilation: Important for this species. They need good airflow - more than tropical Cubaris would tolerate. Ensure adequate ventilation holes in your enclosure. They can handle low ventilation but also do fine with more.
Substrate: A simple mix works well:
- Organic topsoil as a base (pesticide and fertiliser-free)
- Leaf litter mixed through and covering the surface
- Pieces of rotting white wood
- Optional: small amount of sand for drainage
Substrate depth of 2-3 inches is sufficient.
Hides: Cork bark, wood pieces, and thick leaf litter provide shelter. They'll congregate under hides, creating quite a visual display when you lift the bark.
Whiteout Scaber Isopods: Bioactive Use
P. scaber "Whiteout" works well as a cleanup crew for bioactive terrariums:
- Hardy enough to tolerate varied enclosure conditions
- Active processors of waste and decaying matter
- Prolific breeding maintains population numbers
- Visible against dark substrates - you'll actually see them working
They suit setups ranging from semi-arid to moderately humid. As with all P. scaber, they have healthy appetites and may nibble on delicate plants or soft-bodied tank mates if hungry - keep food available.
Their pale colouration does make them more visible to predators than darker morphs, which could affect population sustainability in vivaria with larger inhabitants.
Who Are Whiteout Scaber Isopods Suited For?
These are genuinely beginner-friendly isopods. If you're new to the hobby, P. scaber morphs are an ideal starting point - they're forgiving and will thrive in conditions that would stress more sensitive species.
They're well-suited to:
- Complete beginners wanting an attractive first isopod
- Bioactive terrarium keepers wanting a visible cleanup crew
- Keepers who want active, observable isopods
- Anyone breeding isopods for feeders
- Collectors wanting to add another scaber morph to their collection
At this price point, Whiteout Scabers offer solid value - an attractive, eye-catching morph with bulletproof reliability. They're not rare or difficult, and that's actually a selling point.
