Zebra Pillbug (A. maculatum) (Chocolate)
Armadillidium maculatum
Morph Chocolate. The Zebra Isopod (Armadillidium maculatum). Absolutely one of the most iconic, showy and famous 'conglobating' (pill) isopods in the terrarium keeping world (0.7 - 0.8 inches). The stunning contrast of the sharp snow white longitudinal stripes on a glossy black background literally makes it look like a zebra or an exotic candy. Perfect for semi-humid or dense bioactive terrariums, very active and resistant, but not excessively prolific.
Environnement
Terrestre
Humidité
50 - 70 %
Température diurne
21 - 26 °C
Température nocturne
18 - 22 °C
Description de l'espèce
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Exclusive to the humid deciduous forests with chalky/calcareous soil of southern France (Provence).
Taxonomy and Genetics: Family Armadillidiidae. (European Zebra Isopods). The nominal species has the famous perfect bands to warn predators like birds (aposematic coloration, 'maculatum' means spotted), but fabulous mutations like the 'Zebra Chocolate' (Brown and fluorescent cream) have been isolated in captivity.
Behavior and Habits: Nervous and showy tennis balls. Unlike the passivity of the common underground Vulgare, the Zebra isopod is much more confident. During the day it will swarm en masse and very visibly on food or raised twigs, without seeking the deepest darkness. If very bothered it will close into an impenetrable 'Pillbug' slipping away from the fingers, remaining a very hard black/white smooth candy.
Morphology: Total perfect smooth enameled dome (Up to 0.8 inches / 2 cm for colossal females). Unmistakable. Very glossy oil/black smooth carapace surgically cut by 3 to 5 longitudinal pearl/yellowish white stripes along the entire curved abdomen. Very fleshy.
Note on Morph (Chocolate): Variante cromatica 'Chocolate', caratterizzata da tinte molto scure o marroni al posto dei pattern chiari.
Soins, reproduction et cohabitation
Terrarium Setup: STANDARD BINS OR MIXED/FRENCH BIOACTIVE TERRARIUMS. Resistant species for beginners, but slightly more demanding on horizontal 'solid' woods/barks and superficial dry foliage on which to walk on parade. Standard soil mixed with crumbled limestone.
Lighting and Heating: ABSENCE OF DIRECT LIGHT. They easily survive at 64-75°F (18-24°C). Better not to constantly exceed 79°F (26°C) in closed boxes to prevent lethargy. They can go into a slight reproductive block in the cold winter months.
Humidity and Hydration: TOLERANT MEDIUM-FRENCH GRADIENT (50-80%). They tolerate lower levels of humidity than many tropical isopods. Asphyxiating Asian condensation would drown them. Create a corner dripping with moss (fundamental) where the females will lay the tiny transparent Zebras (mancae), and a large ventilated moderate central area.
Feeding and Supplementation: Ravenous Detritivores. They go crazy (Literally create swarming masses impressive to see) for protein flakes of spirulina/krill (Fish food). They consume slices of carrots at an exhausting pace. Essential basal consumption of pure rotten white wood (fundamental for microbiome) dusted with plaster/calcium powder everywhere.
Compatibility: Exceptional Show Clean-Up Crew. Incredibly useful and harmless. Thanks to the rounded shell that can be closed in case of bites (from crested geckos, large frogs or non-lethal millipedes), they guarantee excellent survival in community tanks where they shine for their flashy livery as real bioactive inhabitants not harmful to amphibian eggs.
Health and Common Diseases: Slowed Decay (Silent 'Death Collapse' from too much humidity ). A lethal mistake of newbies is to consider them 'Zebras from humid Jungle' keeping them drowned in stagnant boxes of dart frog style swamp without air. You will find them all open in a row and motionless for a rapid-course viral asphyxia that crystallizes the black and white carapace.
Origine et répartition géographiques
Exclusive to the humid deciduous forests with chalky/calcareous soil of southern France (Provence).
Origine
Sélection et cultivarsEurope, Méditerranée et Asie occidentale
Profil d'invertébré terrestre
- Régime alimentaire
- Detritivore
- Their diet is heavily based on decomposing plant matter, so leaf litter and soft, white rotting wood should constitute the vast majority of their food intake. They readily accept various supplemental vegetables, such as zucchini or carrots, and require a steady source of calcium, like limestone or cuttlebone, for shell strength.
- Taille adulte
- 1.8 cm
- Mode de vie/microhabitat
- Terrestrial
- Like all members of the Armadillidium genus, they are robust, terrestrial detritivores with the remarkable ability to conglobate, or roll into a perfect sphere. They thrive in environments that offer a moderate moisture gradient, spending their time traversing the leaf litter and contributing efficiently to organic decomposition.
- Cycle d'activité
- Diurnal
- This boldly striped species is moderately active and exhibits a blend of diurnal and nocturnal behaviors, often seen venturing out during the day. They are relatively bold compared to other isopods and will confidently forage on the surface as long as the ambient humidity is comfortably maintained.
- Sociabilité
- Gregarious
- They are peaceful, communal invertebrates that coexist perfectly within large, dense colonies without displaying aggressive or cannibalistic tendencies toward each other. They can frequently be found clustered tightly together in small groups under the same piece of cork bark, sharing food resources and optimizing their local humidity.
- Reproduction
- Marsupial
- They are considered moderate but very reliable breeders, with adult females regularly incubating clutches of eggs in their ventral brood pouch. The resulting offspring emerge as tiny, pale versions of the adults, gradually developing their striking, characteristic zebra-like stripes over the course of several successive molts.
- Venimeux
- No
- Tolérance aux manipulations
- Tolerant
- Handle gently; will curl into a ball when threatened. Do not force them unrolled.
- Brumation
- Non requise
- They are quite hardy and can tolerate a wide range of household temperatures, though they do not strictly require a period of brumation to survive or reproduce. A slight temperature drop might temporarily slow their metabolism, but keeping them at a comfortable room temperature year-round encourages consistent, healthy breeding.
- Mue
- Regular
- They shed their exoskeleton in two distinct halves, a process that requires them to temporarily seek out the slightly more humid areas of their enclosure. Providing a consistent moisture gradient ensures they have access to the necessary hydration to successfully push out of their old exoskeleton without it adhering to them.
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