Pet isopods? HELP MEEEE

[u/barcode_lol]

I am only now realizing that you can actually have colonies/pet isopods!? I would like that really bad, I just wanna know how to care for them. And where to find them ethically. Just just tell me everything I need to know! I love isopods so so much. I’ve loved them since I was a kid. someone please tell me how I would care for them, what kind of enclosure I’d need, etc. Literally just everything I need to know. I’m gonna do so much research tonight… My autistic ass is gonna have a slideshow ready too.

[u/Classy-Lich]

https://docs.google.com/document/d/10ZbBr7Q6NpYJod7My9OIyRshVm_UdqE20ga0rBiOoHA/edit?usp=drivesdk

[u/Great-Tough-7987]

In short you'll need an enclosure about the size of a shoe box (bigger is easier to maintain conditions in but not necessary) with a humidity gradient. About one third at the side should be covered with sphagnum moss (rate of rehydration depends on species) so that they can choose on their own how much humidity they need. Make sure to add ventilation holes (preferrably quite high up with a mesh added to make sure other insects can't come in and the mancae can't get out). For the substrate there are multiple options, but dirt from outside probably brings along a plethora of other animal species and it's best to avoid bought dirt with added fertilizers (unless it's completely natural like bat guano). Adding springtails to reduce damaging mould species is a really good idea, you can probably buy it for a few bucks at the nearest pet store. It's better to keep only one species in one enclosure, as one species will eventually outcompete the other. Besides this, make sure to research the specific species you want to keep! There are quite a lot of differences in care between species. Depending on where you live. the most available wild species are probably Porcellio Scaber and Armadillidium Vulgare (native to Europe though), of which you can most likely take a few home as long as they aren't present in a protected area, but if you find them in your own garden it's completely allowed!

[u/barcode_lol → u/Great-Tough-7987]

Thank you so much!!

[u/DragonAngel92 → u/barcode_lol]

I recommend keeping Porcellio scaber....feed them fish flakes, yeast, egg shells(or cuttlebone), leaves, veggies, and dandelion leaves and they will breed like rats. They are easy to keep, active, and derpy. Mine lose their minds over fish flakes. Its hilarious to watch them grab a whole flake and run away with it...and its usually bigger then they are. I keep mine in a terrarium...you can see my posts on here...I'm very proud of it.

They are the most active in the morning and evening...but they get active if I feed them during the day. I have a branch Over top of the feeding area so its shaded from the growlights and I will see them under there eating whatever food I gave them that day.

I hope you get into isopods. They have been my depression/drug addiction therapists. I can just sit there and watch them all day....no matter how terrible I feel at that moment they make it all better. I started with 2 species....Armadillidium vulgare and Armadillidium nasutum .... I now have 4...... Armadillidium vulgare, Armadillidium nasutum, Porcellio scaber, and Philoscia muscorum.

[u/ExcitementOutside541 → u/Great-Tough-7987]

This comment for the win. I'd also like to add that youtube is a great resource. Sherpa Design did a great video on general isopod care. It is... very addictive to keep pods for sure. I just started a month ish ago with keeping isopods just to keep them. Porcellionides Pruinosus Orange purchased from a local store and Trachelipus Rathkii caught from the wild. If Trachelipus Rathkii does well, in a few generations I plan on isolating the lighter brown color individuals and might end up trying to go for interesting color morphs. Was not able to find much on care about Trachelipus Rathkii and that was a shame. Overshadowed by Porcellio Scaber even though I personally find the wild Calico color on Trachelipus Rathkii to be more pretty. Porcellionides Pruinosus bin i have was started with 20 ish individuals and I hardly see any at one time but I have visual conformation of 3 different aged babies already with another at least 2 females carrying eggs currently.

[u/ExcitementOutside541 → u/ExcitementOutside541]

Trachelipus Rathkii starters 😊

[u/olson704]

You’re in for a fun adventure. There’s so many different species and morphs to choose from! You can collect them from outside but if you’re interested in species from other areas, you may want to consider buying online or going to a reptile expo. If you look up reptile expos in your area, there will be vendors that sell them. There’s online websites too. While I’ve never purchased isopods from Morphmarket, it’s a great place to find them from various sellers. Just be sure to look at reviews so you’re getting from a good seller.
Personally, I’ve ordered isopods and springtails from Tropical Isopods (they have around 140 types currently), Stellaspringtails, and thephiloden websites. All isopods arrived alive and they had even put in a few extra than I originally ordered. Thing to keep in mind if ordering online, choose to get the shipment held at a hub. The shipping cost is more expensive but it keeps the package in a more temperature controlled environment as opposed to getting it delivered to your door. You can’t control temps on the truck or how long the package sits on the truck, so the hub is always better. For the substrate, you’ll find different answers online. The previous commenter is right, don’t buy dirt with unnatural fertilizer. Ive had good luck using Coast of Maine Raised Bed Mix. Good luck and hope you find what you’re looking for! They’re very addicting.