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Rathke's Woodlouse (Trachelipus rathkii)
Trachelipus rathkii
<i>Trachelipus rathkii</i> is a species in the family Trachelipodidae.
Class:Malacostraca
Order:Isopoda
Family:Trachelipodidae
Genus:Trachelipus
Species:Trachelipus rathkii
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Environment
Terrestrial
Humidity
60 - 80 %
Day temperature
20 - 25 °C
Night temperature
18 - 21 °C
UVB
None
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Invasive temperate European species, cosmopolitan par excellence in cold regions in North America. It inhabits soggy wet grassy fields, agricultural lands, roadsides under rocks and old decaying wooden boards.
Taxonomy and Genetics: Family Trachelipodidae. (The Five-Lung Woodlouse). Often mistaken for the very widespread and coarse Porcellio scaber due to the equally flattened and rough body, unable to roll up (does not volvation). However, the Trachelipus possesses an incredible respiratory adaptation: the lower abdomen is dotted with white spots (5 pairs of pseudotracheal lungs against the 2 of the Porcellio), allowing it a frightening agility and resistance in airy and humid woodland environments.
Behavior and Habits: Terrified crawling dusty raiders. Neurotic and runaway. Slower than the Philoscia muscorum but equally phobic of light. If a field stone is lifted, the Trachelipus disperse chaotically, often playing dead for a few moments before resuming running in all directions towards the shade. They do not dig deep tunnels but slip into the asphyctic crevices of the grassy mud in lethargy.
Morphology: Elongated and flattened asphyxiating oval, granular and opaque (Up to 0.6 inches / 1.5 cm). Without the barrel armor of the Cubaris. The coloration is highly variable but always rustic: mottled, spotted or calico. Earth Brown, dusty Ash Gray dominate, with faded spots of Brick Orange along the lateral lobes and pale streaks. The five ventral lungs are the infallible distinguishing mark. Rough bodies and marked lobes pale.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: Guidance about terrarium setup for Trachelipus rathkii must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.
Lighting and Heating: Guidance about lighting and heating for Trachelipus rathkii must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.
Humidity and Hydration: Guidance about humidity and hydration for Trachelipus rathkii must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.
Feeding and Supplementation: Guidance about feeding and supplementation for Trachelipus rathkii must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.
Compatibility and Coexistence: Guidance about compatibility and coexistence for Trachelipus rathkii must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.
Health and Common Diseases: Guidance about health and common diseases for Trachelipus rathkii must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Invasive temperate European species, cosmopolitan par excellence in cold regions in North America. It inhabits soggy wet grassy fields, agricultural lands, roadsides under rocks and old decaying wooden boards.
Origin
Cosmopolitan or introducedCentral America and CaribbeanNorth AmericaEurope, Mediterranean, and West Asia
Terrestrial invertebrate profile
- Diet
- No verified data available
- Life expectancy
- No verified data available
- Adult size
- 1.5 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 1.5 cm. The British Myriapod and Isopod Group — Trachelipus rathkii source reports a maximum adult measurement of 1.5 cm for this species, recorded as body length. The taxonomic record consulted is Trachelipus rathkii. 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.
