Vulgare T+ Albino Isopods (Armadillidium)

Isopods are excellent pets, tiny. From land to ocean, they live in various habitats, serving as nature cleaners. Some isopod species are rarer and more unique than others. Vulgare T+ Albino Isopods is a rare pillbug famous for its distinctive pale coloration. Terrestrial isopods are found in Greece, Japan, and North America. Keeping them as pets is easy if you provide the requirements.

Vulgare T+ Albino Isopods: A Glimpse

• Origin: North America, Greece, Japan

• Scientific Name: Armadillidium vulgare "T+ Albino

• Difficulty: Easy/moderate

• Rarity: Rare

• Temperature: 21-24°C

• Size: Up to 2 cm

• Humidity: Medium

• Favourable Foods: Decaying plants, occasional fruits, fish flakes, dead insects, and leaf litter.

An Overview

Vulgare T+ Albino Isopods, mainly from North America, are also found in Japan and Greece. Though they are found in only a few countries, unlike many isopods, which have a single origin place, Vulgare T+ Albino is a rare breed. 

This isopod, too, has a peculiarity that differentiates it from other species: its pale yellow or white color. The “T+ Albino” has a genetic mutation that affects pigment production, resulting in a light coloration, and the letter “T+” in the name stands for tyrosinase-positive.

Vulgare T+ Albino Isopods thrive in warm, dry vivariums. Unlike other isopod species, high humidity doesn’t suit Vulgare T+ Albino Isopods as they prefer less moisture. Also, high humidity causes molting problems.

Vulgare T+ Albino Isopods: Basic Care

Providing basic care keeps your isopods happy and healthy.

• The foremost care tip for isopods is maintaining a certain humidity level. 

• A well-ventilated enclosure plays an important role in their growth; with the temperature ranging between 21°C and 24°C.

• Create a balanced environment because Vulgare T+ Albino Isopods are sensitive to extreme conditions. 

• Mist the enclosure regularly to maintain the necessary humidity. However, avoid waterlogging, as it leads to mold growth.

• Use leaf litter and bark pieces to create hiding spots. This will make your isopods feel secure and also encourage their natural behaviors.

Vulgare T+ Albino Isopods: Feeding

Detritivores in nature, Vulgare T+ Albino Isopods feed on decomposing organic matter. To ensure that you are feeding them a proper diet, include decaying plant material like rotting wood, vegetables like squash, potatoes, and carrots, and for a calcium source, add cuttlebone. All this food ensures their proper growth and boosts their reproduction. You can also feed the fish flakes and dead insects like crickets and mealworms.

Vulgare T+ Albino Isopods: Appearance and Behaviour

• Vulgare T+ Albino Isopods are popular for their pale yellow or white coloration due to the tyrosinase-positive mutation. 

• Mainly nocturnal, these isopods are active at night and sleep during daytime.

• Vulgare T+ Albino Isopods curl into a ball if threatened. A defense mechanism that protects their soft underbelly from predators.

Vulgare T+ Albino Isopods: Habitat

Vulgare T+ Albino Isopods are found in moist areas rich in organic matter. Creating a similar habitat keeps your isopods in good health and meets their requirements and you can use a moist substrate composed of coconut coir, peat moss, and organic soil. It also maintains the right humidity and temperature levels within the enclosure. 

Vulgare T+ Albino Isopods: Substrate Mix

A perfect substrate mix is a way to ensure the health of your isopods. To prepare that perfect substrate, combine coconut coir and organic soil, which retains moisture and allows proper drainage. Along with this, leaf litter, sphagnum moss, and decaying wood add nutrients to the substrate mix. If you also want to supplement calcium, add cuttlebone and crushed eggshells. Also, maintain the substrate regularly so your isopods can live in a fresh environment.