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Curly Woodlouse (Cylisticus convexus)

Cylisticus convexus

The Cylisticus convexus. The 'Curly' isopod, also known as 'Tear-drop' due to its unusual shape: it is tapered and narrow posteriorly like a Porcellio, but rolls up imperfectly (leaving protruding antennae) like an Armadillidium. Fast (up to 0.6 inches) and very shiny, it presents itself with a dark gray back with opaque cream lateral spots. Extremely prolific and tolerant to immense temperature ranges, it is a very robust humid bioactive scavenger, suitable for non-asphyctic temperate-tropical terrariums.

Taxonomy
Class:Malacostraca
Order:Isopoda
Family:Cylisticidae
Genus:Cylisticus
Species:Cylisticus convexus

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Environment

Terrestrial

Humidity

60 - 80 %

Day temperature

20 - 25 °C

Night temperature

18 - 21 °C

UVB

None

Species description

Geographic Origin and Habitat: BMIG reports Cylisticus convexus as widely but patchily distributed throughout Britain and Ireland. In that regional account it occurs in sparsely vegetated semi-natural coastal habitats and synanthropic inland sites.
Taxonomy and Genetics: The cited BMIG page identifies Cylisticus convexus; it does not provide genetic results.
Behaviour and Habits: BMIG reports that, when provoked, the species can roll into a flattened ball while its antennae and long pointed uropods remain protruding.
Morphology and Sexual Dimorphism: The cited page identifies the protruding antennae and long pointed uropods in that defensive posture; it does not provide sexual-dimorphism measurements.

Care, breeding and tankmates

Terrarium Setup: BMIG reports Cylisticus convexus beneath stones, dead wood, strandline material and other debris. This is a field-habitat observation, not an enclosure design or substrate prescription.
Lighting and Heating: The cited species page does not provide a captive lighting or temperature schedule.
Humidity and Hydration: The cited species page does not quantify humidity, hydration, or a captive moisture target.
Feeding and Supplementation: The cited species page does not document diet, feeding frequency, or supplementation.
Compatibility and Coexistence: The cited species page does not evaluate cohabitation or provide a compatibility recommendation.
Health and Common Diseases: The cited species page does not provide disease, treatment, or veterinary-management evidence.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

This species originates from: Europa Orientale / Asia Minore (Invasivo globale in aree umide temperate).

Origin

Cosmopolitan or introducedNorth AmericaEurope, Mediterranean, and West Asia

Terrestrial invertebrate profile

Diet
No verified data available
Life expectancy
No verified data available
Adult size
1.5 cm
The catalog's scalar value is 1.5 cm. The British Myriapod and Isopod Group — Cylisticus convexus source reports a maximum adult measurement of 1.5 cm for this species, recorded as body length. The taxonomic record consulted is Cylisticus convexus. These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
Lifestyle/Microhabitat
No verified data available
Activity cycle
No verified data available
Sociality
No verified data available
Reproduction
No verified data available
Venom level
No verified data available
Handling tolerance
No verified data available
Brumation
No verified data available
Molting
No verified data available

Image gallery

Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.

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Last updated: 08/10/2026