{"product_id":"small-cork-bark-tube","title":"Small Cork Bark Tube","description":"\u003cp\u003eA 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy Tubes Are Different From Flat Pieces\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFlat 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis matters most for species that are shy, stress-prone, or have specific hiding preferences. \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/cubaris-isopods\"\u003eCubaris\u003c\/a\u003e species in particular — which originate from limestone caves — tend to favour enclosed spaces where they feel fully surrounded. \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/ardentiella-isopods\"\u003eArdentiella\u003c\/a\u003e (formerly Merulanella), which are semi-arboreal, will climb inside and rest within tubes positioned at an angle. \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/millipedes-for-sale\"\u003eMillipedes\u003c\/a\u003e use tubes as dark, humid retreats for resting and moulting. \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/cockroaches-for-sale\"\u003eCockroaches\u003c\/a\u003e will pack themselves inside tubes in groups, making them easy to monitor at a glance by peering in the end.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat Cork Bark Tubes Do in Your Enclosure\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEnclosed hide.\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMicroclimate creation.\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eClimbing and vertical structure.\u003c\/strong\u003e Cork bark tubes can be positioned horizontally on the substrate, angled against the enclosure wall, or propped vertically. Semi-arboreal species like \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/ardentiella-isopods\"\u003eArdentiella\u003c\/a\u003e and many \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/porcellio-isopods\"\u003ePorcellio\u003c\/a\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSupplementary food source.\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePreparation Before Use\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWe recommend baking before use.\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eCork bark tubes work in any invertebrate enclosure. They're particularly useful for:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/isopods-for-sale\"\u003eIsopods\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e — all species, from beginner \u003ca href=\"\/products\/porcellio-scaber-mix-isopods\"\u003ePorcellio scaber\u003c\/a\u003e to advanced \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/cubaris-isopods\"\u003eCubaris\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/ardentiella-isopods\"\u003eArdentiella\u003c\/a\u003e. Tubes are especially valued by cave-origin species that prefer fully enclosed retreats.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/millipedes-for-sale\"\u003eMillipedes\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e — tubes provide dark, humid shelters for resting and moulting. Position horizontally on the substrate for easy access.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/cockroaches-for-sale\"\u003eCockroaches\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e — many species will pack tightly inside tubes, making colony monitoring simple.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/other-inverts-for-sale\"\u003eSnails and other invertebrates\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e — cork bark tubes provide natural, moisture-retaining hides.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBioactive vivariums\u003c\/strong\u003e — cork tubes look natural in planted setups and provide shelter for cleanup crew species.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePairs Well With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/large-magnolia-leaves-for-isopods\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMagnolia Leaves\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e — long-lasting leaf litter for food and cover\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/bamboo-leaf-litter\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBamboo Leaf Litter\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e — structural leaf litter that keeps substrate airy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/cuttlebone-100g\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCuttlebone\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e — calcium supplementation for isopods and millipedes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/malawi-light-limestone-for-isopods\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMalawi Limestone\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e — passive calcium and habitat enrichment\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/flake-soil-1l\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlake Soil\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e — fermented hardwood substrate for nutrition\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/kinshi-made-with-lions-mane-mushroom\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKinshi\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e — mushroom mycelium substrate for tropical detritivores\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFor a complete guide to putting an enclosure together, see our \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/isopods-useful-articles\/setting-up-selecting-your-first-isopods\"\u003eguide to setting up and selecting your first isopods\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eProduct Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e Small — ideal for starter tubs, smaller enclosures, or as one of several hides in a larger setup.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlease note:\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"PostPods","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57265033642366,"sku":null,"price":1.2,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0759\/0707\/2294\/files\/small-cork-bark-tube-7264779.jpg?v=1776377607","url":"https:\/\/postpods.co.uk\/products\/small-cork-bark-tube","provider":"Isopods For Sale UK | PostPods","version":"1.0","type":"link"}