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Heller's Isopod (Helleria brevicornis)

Helleria brevicornis

The Helleria brevicornis. An ancient and fascinating Mediterranean living fossil. It is the only terrestrial oniscoidean isopod not ascribable to the evolved group of 'true' terrestrial woodlice (Crinocheta) capable of rolling up (volvation), belonging to the primitive family of Tylidae (coastal isopods) but adapted to the soggy and gloomy hilly beech forests. Large, squat and with a very slow metabolism (0.6-0.8 inches), it stands out for its granular brown color, the squat rounded frontal 'horns' and the absolute intolerance to high summer tropical temperatures.

Taxonomy
Class:Malacostraca
Order:Isopoda
Family:Tylidae
Genus:Helleria
Species:Helleria brevicornis

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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: This recovery makes no geographic-origin or habitat statement beyond the cited facts above.
Taxonomy and Genetics: The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service taxonomic tree lists Helleria brevicornis as a species in the genus Helleria. This recovery makes no genetic statement beyond the cited facts above.
Behaviour and Habits: This recovery makes no behavioural statement beyond the cited facts above.
Morphology and Sexual Dimorphism: This recovery makes no morphological or sex-comparison statement beyond the cited facts above.

Care, breeding and tankmates

Terrarium Setup: Helleria brevicornis is described as completely terrestrial, living in leaf litter and humus and burrowing into soil. In the cited study, animals were kept and bred in a terrarium filled with wet soil at room temperature; this recovery does not state enclosure dimensions or substrate proportions.
Lighting and Heating: The room-temperature study condition is recorded here; this recovery does not set a numeric heating or lighting protocol.
Humidity and Hydration: The cited study used wet soil; this recovery does not set a relative-humidity target or watering schedule.
Feeding and Supplementation: In the cited study, animals were fed potatoes and dry leaves. This recovery does not state portions, feeding frequency, or supplementation guidance.
Compatibility and Coexistence: This recovery adds no cohabitation recommendation.
Health and Common Diseases: This recovery adds no disease or treatment protocol.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

This species originates from: Europa mediterranea (Esclusivo del sottobosco tirrenico, Sardegna, Corsica, Costa Azzurra).

Origin

Central America and CaribbeanNorth AmericaEurope, Mediterranean, and West AsiaEast Asia

Terrestrial invertebrate profile

Diet
No verified data available
Life expectancy
No verified data available
Adult size
2.7 cm
The catalog's scalar value is 2.7 cm. The Isopod Site — Helleria brevicornis source reports a maximum adult measurement of 2.7 cm for this species, recorded as body length. The taxonomic record consulted is Helleria brevicornis. 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
Heller's Isopod (Helleria brevicornis) Care Guide & Terrarium Setup | Atlarium