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Moroccan Isopod

Porcellio sp. 'Morocco'

Robust North African isopod. Prefers higher temperatures than average and a substrate with a clear separation between wet and dry zones.

Taxonomy
Class:Malacostraca
Order:Isopoda
Family:Porcellionidae
Genus:Porcellio
Species:Porcellio sp. 'Morocco'

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Environment

Terrestrial

Humidity

60 - 85 %

Day temperature

21 - 29 °C

Night temperature

21 - 29 °C

UVB

None

Species description

Geographic Origin and Habitat: No additional source-verified editorial notes are available about geographic origin and habitat for Porcellio sp. 'Morocco'. Consult this record's parameters and sources.
Taxonomy and Genetics: No additional source-verified editorial notes are available about taxonomy and genetics for Porcellio sp. 'Morocco'. Consult this record's parameters and sources.
Behaviour and Habits: No additional source-verified editorial notes are available about behaviour and habits for Porcellio sp. 'Morocco'. 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 sp. 'Morocco'. Consult this record's parameters and sources.

Care, breeding and tankmates

Terrarium Setup: PLASTIC BINS OR HUMID BIOACTIVE TERRARIUMS. They need a deep layer (2-3 inches) of pure organic soil mixed with crushed dry oak leaves, crumbled rotten wood (Flake soil) and pieces of cork bark to hide. Always insert a cuttlefish bone for calcium.
Lighting and Heating: TOTAL DARKNESS. They hate intense light. No Basking. Domestic room temperature (72-79°F / 22-26°C). At higher temperatures they explode demographically reproducing in mass; below 64°F (18°C) the colony goes into stasis.
Humidity and Hydration: Gradient Humidity (60-80%). CRITICAL: The bin must have a constantly wet corner (where they take refuge to breathe with modified humid gills) and a dry corner to regulate osmosis. If the whole bin dries out, they will die asphyxiated in 24 hours.
Feeding and Supplementation: Shredding Machines (Very voracious Omnivores/Detritivores). The base of the diet MUST BE dry foliage and decomposing white wood. BUT: for P. laevis MASSIVE PROTEINS are needed (Flake fish food, dried shrimp, freeze-dried, cat kibble) or they will start cannibalizing each other stripping the live newborns. Calcium powder is indispensable or they will literally melt during molting.
Compatibility: Lethal cleaning crew. Excellent in terrariums of large reptiles (Pythons, Bearded Dragons, Iguanas) to eat feces and fungi. NEVER put them with fragile frogs, slow geckos or soft invertebrates (like snails or molting tarantulas): their appetite will push them to bite and devour soft animals alive.
Health and Common Diseases: Decay from branchial asphyxia and cannibalism. They will die en masse crumpled dry ('Dessiccation') if you do not moisten at least one side of the soil, or they will explode liquid leaks if there is a total lack of ventilation (Air must circulate, it must not be a smelly swamp).

Geographic Origin and Distribution

This species originates from: Europa / Cosmopolita.

Origin

Cosmopolitan or introducedAfrica and MadagascarEurope, Mediterranean, and West Asia

Terrestrial invertebrate profile

Diet
No verified data available
Life expectancy
No verified data available
Adult size
No verified data available
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.

Related species

Recommendations grouped by close relatives, companion choices, and similar care.

Last updated: 08/10/2026
Moroccan Isopod (Porcellio sp. 'Morocco') Care Guide & Terrarium Setup | Atlarium