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Ornate Isopod (Porcellio ornatus) (Chocolate)
Porcellio ornatus "Chocolate"
Morph Chocolate. The Ornate Isopod ('Ornatus'). An extremely fast and tapered giant Iberian isopod (1 - 1.2 inches) known for its lively and contrasting giant patch colors (High Yellow morph, Chocolate, Witches Brew). Much more active, bold in broad daylight and prolific than the other 'Monsters of Spain', it represents a fantastic balance between the spectacular Spanish size and a slightly more forgiving care for those approaching giant isopods.
Class:Malacostraca
Order:Isopoda
Family:Porcellionidae
Genus:Porcellio
Species:Porcellio ornatus "Chocolate"
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Environment
Terrestrial
Humidity
40 - 60 %
Day temperature
20 - 26 °C
Night temperature
18 - 22 °C
UVB
None
Species description
Geographic Origin and Habitat: No additional source-verified editorial notes are available about geographic origin and habitat for Porcellio ornatus "Chocolate". Consult this record's parameters and sources.
Taxonomy and Genetics: No additional source-verified editorial notes are available about taxonomy and genetics for Porcellio ornatus "Chocolate". Consult this record's parameters and sources.
Behaviour and Habits: No additional source-verified editorial notes are available about behaviour and habits for Porcellio ornatus "Chocolate". Consult this record's parameters and sources.
Morphology and Sexual Dimorphism: No additional source-verified editorial notes are available about morphology and sexual dimorphism for Porcellio ornatus "Chocolate". Consult this record's parameters and sources.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: STANDARD BINS OR MEDITERRANEAN BIOACTIVE TERRARIUMS. They tolerate smaller spaces and more classic set-ups compared to the enormous Hoffmansegii. They require a thick layer of soil mixed with sand (at least 2.5 inches). They love oak bark, but also heavily use the entire upper volume if intricate woods are inserted vertically where they will climb to dry out.
Lighting and Heating: ABSENCE OF DIRECT LIGHT. Warm domestic heat 72-79°F (22-26°C). If kept constantly at 79°F (26°C) they will explode demographically churning out babies on repeat; they tolerate winter cold entering partial hibernation below 64°F (18°C).
Humidity and Hydration: MEDIUM VENTILATION AND GRADIENT (40-60%). Unlike the other untouchable Spaniards, the Ornatus forgive humidity errors and can survive in more closed tanks, provided the sacred gradient is maintained: one side 70% wet always (moss), one side of the box completely parched with dust. They cannot stand boxes saturated with fog (tropical).
Feeding and Supplementation: Massive Omnivorous Vacuum Cleaners. They demand frequent animal proteins (Fish food, dried insects, meat). If lacking, their crazy speed and appetite will make them extremely aggressive towards smaller or molting isopods. Provide vital cuttlefish bone broken into large blocks to gnaw brutally and obviously an infinite dead leaf base.
Compatibility: Voracious Invaders in small tanks. Excellent cleaning crew for large semi-arid reptiles (Ball Pythons, Uromastyx), but due to the massive size and explosive speed, not recommended with frogs and small saurians. Among themselves they are sociable and not lethally territorial like the Hoffs.
Health and Common Diseases: Decay from explosive protein deficiency (Acute cannibalism ). If you raise a thick colony forgetting to insert krill or dried chicken, the angry crowd of Ornatus will devour every single mancha (transparent newborn baby) totally blocking the growth of the group. Tolerant to deadly Spanish fungi if ventilated enough.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
This species originates from: Spagna (Spagna del Sud, Andalusia).
Origin
Selective breeding and cultivarsEurope, Mediterranean, and West Asia
Terrestrial invertebrate profile
- Diet
- No verified data available
- Life expectancy
- No verified data available
- Adult size
- 3 cm
- 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
The catalog's scalar value is 3 cm. The Ant & Pod — Porcellio ornatus adult size source reports a maximum adult measurement of 3 cm for this species, recorded as body length. The biological datum refers to the base species Porcellio ornatus, not exclusively to the commercial variety. 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.
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
Related species
Recommendations grouped by close relatives, companion choices, and similar care.
