Granulated Pill Bug
Armadillidium granulatum
The European giant of the Armadillidium genus. The carapace is granular to the touch, dark grey with bright mustard yellow spots.
Umgebung
Terrestrisch
Luftfeuchtigkeit
40 - 60 %
Tagestemperatur
22 - 27 °C
Nachttemperatur
22 - 27 °C
Artbeschreibung
Armadillidium granulatum:: The European giant of the Armadillidium genus. The carapace is granular to the touch, dark grey with bright mustard yellow spots.
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Exclusive to the humid deciduous forests with chalky/calcareous soil of southern France (Provence).
Taxonomy and Genetics: Family Armadillidiidae. (European Zebra Isopods). The nominal species has the famous perfect bands to warn predators like birds (aposematic coloration, 'maculatum' means spotted), but fabulous mutations like the 'Zebra Chocolate' (Brown and fluorescent cream) have been isolated in captivity.
Behavior and Habits: Nervous and showy tennis balls. Unlike the passivity of the common underground Vulgare, the Zebra isopod is much more confident. During the day it will swarm en masse and very visibly on food or raised twigs, without seeking the deepest darkness. If very bothered it will close into an impenetrable 'Pillbug' slipping away from the fingers, remaining a very hard black/white smooth candy.
Morphology: Total perfect smooth enameled dome (Up to 0.8 inches / 2 cm for colossal females). Unmistakable. Very glossy oil/black smooth carapace surgically cut by 3 to 5 longitudinal pearl/yellowish white stripes along the entire curved abdomen. Very fleshy.
Pflege, Zucht und Mitbewohner
Terrarium Setup: STANDARD BINS OR MIXED/FRENCH BIOACTIVE TERRARIUMS. Resistant species for beginners, but slightly more demanding on horizontal 'solid' woods/barks and superficial dry foliage on which to walk on parade. Standard soil mixed with crumbled limestone.
Lighting and Heating: ABSENCE OF DIRECT LIGHT. They easily survive at 64-75°F (18-24°C). Better not to constantly exceed 79°F (26°C) in closed boxes to prevent lethargy. They can go into a slight reproductive block in the cold winter months.
Humidity and Hydration: TOLERANT MEDIUM-FRENCH GRADIENT (50-80%). They tolerate lower levels of humidity than many tropical isopods. Asphyxiating Asian condensation would drown them. Create a corner dripping with moss (fundamental) where the females will lay the tiny transparent Zebras (mancae), and a large ventilated moderate central area.
Feeding and Supplementation: Ravenous Detritivores. They go crazy (Literally create swarming masses impressive to see) for protein flakes of spirulina/krill (Fish food). They consume slices of carrots at an exhausting pace. Essential basal consumption of pure rotten white wood (fundamental for microbiome) dusted with plaster/calcium powder everywhere.
Compatibility: Exceptional Show Clean-Up Crew. Incredibly useful and harmless. Thanks to the rounded shell that can be closed in case of bites (from crested geckos, large frogs or non-lethal millipedes), they guarantee excellent survival in community tanks where they shine for their flashy livery as real bioactive inhabitants not harmful to amphibian eggs.
Health and Common Diseases: Slowed Decay (Silent 'Death Collapse' from too much humidity ). A lethal mistake of newbies is to consider them 'Zebras from humid Jungle' keeping them drowned in stagnant boxes of dart frog style swamp without air. You will find them all open in a row and motionless for a rapid-course viral asphyxia that crystallizes the black and white carapace.
Geografische Herkunft und Verbreitung
Exclusive to the humid deciduous forests with chalky/calcareous soil of southern France (Provence).
Ursprung
Selektive Züchtung und SortenEuropa, Mittelmeerraum und Westasien
Profil der terrestrischen Wirbellosen
- Diät
- Detritivore
- They are enthusiastic detritivores with a ravenous appetite. Their staple diet of decaying hardwood leaves and rotting white wood must be heavily supplemented. They require constant access to bulk calcium, such as limestone, and eagerly consume supplemental proteins like dried shrimp, fish flakes, and fresh vegetable scraps.
- Erwachsenengröße
- 2.3 cm
- Lebensstil/Mikrohabitat
- Terrestrial
- They thrive in a surface-dwelling, fully terrestrial lifestyle. As one of the largest species in their genus, they appreciate ample space to roam and climb over overlapping pieces of bark. They require a distinct moisture gradient with excellent ventilation to prevent the buildup of stagnant, overly damp air.
- Aktivitätszyklus
- Diurnal
- These robust isopods are highly active, exhibiting a surprisingly significant amount of diurnal behavior. While they still forage heavily at night, they are frequently visible during the day, boldly exploring the surface of their enclosure, especially when fresh food is introduced or humidity levels are optimal.
- Sozialität
- Gregarious
- They are an incredibly social, gregarious species that does exceptionally well in large, bustling colonies. They are completely peaceful toward conspecifics, and keeping them in higher densities often seems to stimulate more active foraging behaviors and more frequent, highly successful breeding cycles.
- Reproduktion
- Viviparous
- They are prolific and fast breeders once a colony is well-established in optimal conditions. Mature females can often be seen carrying large, bulging broods in their ventral marsupium. The resulting mancae are relatively large upon emergence and quickly begin feeding alongside the adults.
- Giftig
- No
- Handhabungstoleranz
- Tolerant
- They are quite hardy and tolerate gentle handling very well. Upon initial contact, they will typically roll tightly into a defensive ball. However, once placed on a flat surface, they are usually quick to unroll and begin actively scurrying around, making them engaging subjects to observe.
- Brumation
- Nicht erforderlich
- Native to the sunny, temperate Mediterranean coastlines, they do not require a brumation period in captivity. They perform best when provided with consistently warm temperatures year-round. While they can tolerate brief dips in temperature, prolonged cold will cause them to become sluggish and halt all breeding activity.
- Häutung
- Regular
- Like all isopods, they undergo a two-part molting process, shedding the posterior half first. Due to their large size and heavily textured, granulated exoskeleton, ensuring they have access to a damp hydration station is critical during this vulnerable time to prevent fatal stuck sheds.
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