Small Cork Bark Tube

A small natural cork bark tube — a hollow, tunnel-shaped piece of cork bark that provides an enclosed hide for isopods, millipedes, cockroaches, snails, and other invertebrates.

Why Tubes Are Different From Flat Pieces

Flat cork bark sits on the substrate and creates a sheltered space underneath — useful, but open on all sides. A cork bark tube is a fully enclosed tunnel that your invertebrates can climb inside, giving them a darker, more secure hiding spot with only the ends open. For species that naturally seek out enclosed crevices and cavities, tubes provide a much closer approximation of their natural retreat than a flat piece laid on the surface.

This matters most for species that are shy, stress-prone, or have specific hiding preferences. Cubaris species in particular — which originate from limestone caves — tend to favour enclosed spaces where they feel fully surrounded. Ardentiella (formerly Merulanella), which are semi-arboreal, will climb inside and rest within tubes positioned at an angle. Millipedes use tubes as dark, humid retreats for resting and moulting. Cockroaches will pack themselves inside tubes in groups, making them easy to monitor at a glance by peering in the end.

What Cork Bark Tubes Do in Your Enclosure

Enclosed hide. The tubular shape creates a dark, sheltered tunnel that reduces stress and gives your colony a secure gathering point. Lift or peer into the tube during checks and you'll often find a cluster of animals inside — it's one of the easiest ways to monitor colony health without disturbing the entire enclosure.

Microclimate creation. The inside of a cork bark tube retains moisture and stays more humid than the surrounding enclosure air. This creates a small, sheltered zone with slightly different conditions from the rest of the setup — useful for species that benefit from humidity variation. Place the tube so one end sits in the moist zone and the other extends into the drier area, giving your colony access to a gradient within the tube itself.

Climbing and vertical structure. Cork bark tubes can be positioned horizontally on the substrate, angled against the enclosure wall, or propped vertically. Semi-arboreal species like Ardentiella and many Porcellio species will climb on and through tubes, adding three-dimensional space to the enclosure. An angled or vertical tube gives your enclosure depth and encourages natural climbing behaviour.

Supplementary food source. Over time, cork bark slowly softens in humid conditions and your isopods will gradually nibble on it. It won't replace their primary diet of leaf litter and rotting wood, but it contributes to the overall organic material available in the enclosure.

Preparation Before Use

We recommend baking before use. While shop-bought cork bark is generally low risk, baking it in the oven is a simple precaution that kills off any unwanted hitchhikers, mites, pest insects, or their eggs that may be hiding in the bark's crevices. Pop it in the oven at around 200°C (390°F) for 30 minutes. Cork is a natural insulator, so the heat needs time to penetrate through to the core — tubes are thicker in cross-section than flat pieces, so give them the full 30 minutes. Keep the temperature below 300°C to stay safely below cork's ignition point, and keep an eye on it while it bakes. Allow it to cool completely before placing it in your enclosure.

Suitable For

Cork bark tubes work in any invertebrate enclosure. They're particularly useful for:

• Isopods — all species, from beginner Porcellio scaber to advanced Cubaris and Ardentiella. Tubes are especially valued by cave-origin species that prefer fully enclosed retreats.
• Millipedes — tubes provide dark, humid shelters for resting and moulting. Position horizontally on the substrate for easy access.
• Cockroaches — many species will pack tightly inside tubes, making colony monitoring simple.
• Snails and other invertebrates — cork bark tubes provide natural, moisture-retaining hides.
• Bioactive vivariums — cork tubes look natural in planted setups and provide shelter for cleanup crew species.

Pairs Well With

• Magnolia Leaves — long-lasting leaf litter for food and cover
• Bamboo Leaf Litter — structural leaf litter that keeps substrate airy
• Cuttlebone — calcium supplementation for isopods and millipedes
• Malawi Limestone — passive calcium and habitat enrichment
• Flake Soil — fermented hardwood substrate for nutrition
• Kinshi — mushroom mycelium substrate for tropical detritivores

For a complete guide to putting an enclosure together, see our guide to setting up and selecting your first isopods.

Product Details

Size: Small — ideal for starter tubs, smaller enclosures, or as one of several hides in a larger setup.

Please note: Cork bark is a natural product. Sizes, shapes, and wall thickness will vary between pieces. Each tube is picked at random. The tubular shape is a natural feature of how cork bark is harvested — it retains the curved form of the tree trunk it was stripped from.