Rough Woodlouse (Porcellio scaber) (Calico)
Porcellio scaber
The Calico morph of the common rough woodlouse. Highly prolific and adaptable, it makes an excellent cleanup crew for bioactive terrariums, consuming organic waste, mold, and leaf litter.
Environnement
Terrestre
Humidité
50 - 70 %
Température diurne
20 - 25 °C
Température nocturne
18 - 22 °C
Description de l'espèce
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Native to Europe but now established globally as a cosmopolitan species. It thrives in damp temperate woodlands, gardens, and urban undergrowth, sheltering under rotting logs, stones, and leaf litter to avoid dehydration.
Taxonomy and Genetics: Belonging to the family Porcellionidae (terrestrial crustaceans). *Porcellio scaber* is highly adaptable and cannot roll into a ball like the genus *Armadillidium*. The 'Calico' morph is a stable color variety characterized by a mottled pattern of orange, yellow, and grey spots.
Behavior and Habits: Strictly nocturnal and photophobic, seeking shelter under damp objects during the day. They are gregarious and gather in large numbers in humid microclimates. In bioactive terrariums, they are active detritivores, feeding on decaying leaves, wood, and organic waste, converting it into rich humus.
Morphology: Features a robust, oval, and segmented body reaching 18–20 mm in length, with a characteristically rough, cemented exoskeleton. Females carry fertilized eggs and developing larvae (mancae) in a fluid-filled ventral pouch called a marsupium. Males can be distinguished by their specialized uropods.
Soins, reproduction et cohabitation
Terrarium Setup: Can be cultured in plastic enclosures with cross-ventilation. The substrate should be 5–10 cm deep, composed of organic soil, coco fiber, rotten wood (flake soil), and plenty of dry leaves (such as oak or beech). Cork bark flats should be placed on top to provide shelters.
Lighting and Heating: Prefers dim or dark conditions and must be protected from direct sunlight, which can desiccate them. They tolerate low temperatures (10–15°C) but breed and populate rapidly at room temperatures of 20–25°C. No supplementary heating is required.
Humidity and Hydration: Requires a constant moisture gradient, as they breathe through modified gills. Moisten one side of the enclosure heavily while keeping the other side dry, allowing the isopods to self-regulate their moisture needs.
Feeding and Supplementation: Leaf litter and decaying wood should form the basis of their diet. Supplement twice a week with protein sources (fish flakes, dried shrimp) and fresh vegetables. Provide a constant source of calcium, such as cuttlebone, to support exoskeleton development.
Compatibility: Ideal cleanup crew for damp terrariums housing large frogs, lizards, and tarantulas. However, they should not be kept with extremely small amphibians, geckos, or soft reptile eggs, as their hungry, opportunistic nature can cause stress or damage.
Health and Common Diseases: Highly resilient. The main health risk is desiccation from low humidity or inadequate ventilation leading to stagnation and mold. Ensure the moisture gradient is maintained and the substrate does not dry out.
Origine et répartition géographiques
Native to Europe but now established globally as a cosmopolitan species. It thrives in damp temperate woodlands, gardens, and urban undergrowth, sheltering under rotting logs, stones, and leaf litter to avoid dehydration.
Origine
Sélection et cultivarsAmérique centrale et CaraïbesEurope, Méditerranée et Asie occidentaleCosmopolite ou introduit
Profil d'invertébré terrestre
- Régime alimentaire
- Detritivore
- Their diet consists primarily of decaying organic matter such as hardwood leaf litter, rotting wood, and occasional vegetable scraps. It is crucial to supplement their diet with a reliable calcium source, such as cuttlebone or crushed eggshells, to ensure proper exoskeleton development and successful molting cycles throughout their lifespan.
- Taille adulte
- 1.7 cm
- Mode de vie/microhabitat
- Terrestrial
- As a terrestrial crustacean, this isopod leads an epigean lifestyle, meaning it primarily inhabits the soil surface rather than burrowing deep underground. They are detritivores, constantly foraging through the top layer of organic matter, breaking down dead plant material, and contributing significantly to the nutrient cycling process in their ecosystem.
- Cycle d'activité
- Crepuscular
- This species primarily exhibits nocturnal behaviors, becoming highly active during the nighttime hours when humidity levels are generally higher and temperatures drop. During the day, they prefer to seek refuge underneath decaying wood, leaf litter, or rocks to prevent desiccation and avoid potential daytime predators in their natural environment.
- Sociabilité
- Gregarious
- They are highly gregarious invertebrates that thrive when kept in large colonies with numerous individuals. They are frequently observed congregating together under pieces of bark or leaf litter, which helps them collectively conserve moisture and creates a microclimate that is highly beneficial for their overall survival and comfort.
- Reproduction
- Marsupial
- Reproduction occurs rapidly under optimal conditions, with females carrying fertilized eggs in a specialized brood pouch called a marsupium on their underside. After an incubation period, fully formed but miniature juvenile isopods, known as mancae, are released. These mancae will undergo several molts before reaching full sexual maturity.
- Venimeux
- No
- Tolérance aux manipulations
- Display only
- Handling should be kept to a minimum to avoid stressing the isopods. If necessary, gently coax them onto a soft brush or a piece of leaf litter rather than picking them up directly with fingers. Their exoskeleton, while somewhat sturdy, can still be easily crushed by the unintentional pressure of human hands.
- Brumation
- Non requise
- While they do not enter a true brumation, a slight decrease in temperature during the winter months can slow their metabolism and reproductive rates. They will remain somewhat active as long as the temperature does not drop below freezing, but providing a stable year-round temperature is generally preferred for optimal colony growth.
- Mue
- Periodic
- Isopods undergo a biphasic molting process, shedding the posterior half of their exoskeleton first, followed by the anterior half a few days later. During this vulnerable time, they require adequate humidity to prevent getting stuck in their old exoskeleton, and they will often consume the shed exoskeleton to recycle essential calcium.
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