White Shark Isopod (Cubaris sp.)
Cubaris sp. 'White Shark'
A prized Cubaris isopod morph featuring a pure white exoskeleton with prominent black eyespots, creating a striking 'white shark' face. Extremely delicate.
Ambiente
Terrestre
Umidade
70 - 85 %
Temperatura diurna
23 - 27 °C
Temperatura noturna
20 - 23 °C
Descrição da espécie
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Native to the highly humid limestone caves and tropical rainforest understory of Thailand. They inhabit microclimates rich in moisture and calcium, often found under leaf litter and near underground water sources.
Taxonomy and Genetics: Belongs to the Armadillidae family under the genus Cubaris. The "White Shark" is a specific mutation or closely related form of the cave-dwelling species, prized for its distinct lack of pigmentation, leaving only the dark photoreceptors visible.
Behavior and Habits: Extremely shy, slow-moving, and nocturnal. As a cave-adapted isopod, it avoids light and spends most of its time burrowed in the substrate or hiding under stones and bark, feeding on decaying organic matter.
Morphology: Features a highly domed, smooth exoskeleton of a ghostly, chalk-white color. The name refers to the white facial mask and prominent black eyespots. Sexual dimorphism is negligible, though mature females may carry a visible brood pouch (marsupium).
Cuidado, criação e companheiros de tanque
Terrarium Setup: Provide a bioactive enclosure with a deep, organic substrate (at least 7 cm) mixed with calcium sources like crushed limestone. Offer abundant leaf litter, rotten wood, and cork bark hides to create secure shelters.
Lighting and Heating: Avoid direct light, as they are highly sensitive to illumination. Maintain stable tropical temperatures between 23–28°C. Cold temperatures can slow their metabolism and halt reproduction. A side-mounted heat mat is recommended if necessary.
Humidity and Hydration: Maintain high humidity levels between 75–90%. Use reverse osmosis water to mist the enclosure, keeping a distinct moisture gradient with a damp side and a slightly drier side. Good cross-ventilation is essential to prevent mold growth.
Feeding and Supplementation: Detritivorous. Their main diet consists of decaying leaves and rotten wood. Supplement with powdered calcium, cuttlebone, and high-protein foods like fish flakes or yeast in moderation once a week.
Compatibility: Best kept in a species-only culture. Due to their slow reproduction and high value, they should not be housed with other isopod species or used as a cleanup crew in active reptile or amphibian enclosures.
Health and Common Diseases: Prone to desiccation and molting issues if humidity drops too low. Stagnant air and overwatering can lead to bacterial infections. Minimise disturbance of the colony to reduce stress and promote breeding.
Origem e distribuição geográfica
Native to the highly humid limestone caves and tropical rainforest understory of Thailand. They inhabit microclimates rich in moisture and calcium, often found under leaf litter and near underground water sources.
Origem
Melhoramento seletivo e cultivaresAmérica Central e CaribeSul e Sudeste Asiático
Perfil de invertebrados terrestres
- Dieta
- Detritivore
- This species thrives on a varied diet rich in decaying organic matter. They primarily consume high-quality leaf litter and soft rotting wood. Supplemental calcium and occasional vegetable scraps are essential for maintaining proper health and a strong exoskeleton.
- Tamanho adulto
- 0.8 cm
- Estilo de vida/Microhabitat
- Terrestrial
- They are robust terrestrial invertebrates that thrive in a well-maintained terrarium environment. A distinct moisture gradient is crucial to prevent both fatal dehydration and harmful fungal infections. They spend the vast majority of their time navigating the complex microhabitats of the damp forest floor.
- Ciclo de atividades
- Nocturnal
- This species is primarily active during the night and the dimmer crepuscular hours. They typically remain hidden during the peak daylight hours to conserve vital moisture and avoid predators. Providing a natural day-night light cycle helps regulate their natural foraging and resting behaviors.
- Socialidade
- Solitary
- A social species that does best when housed with its own kind. They often burrow together, creating small communal pockets in the damp earth which helps them regulate moisture.
- Reprodução
- Marsupial
- Reproduction occurs consistently throughout the year when kept under optimal terrarium conditions. Females incubate their developing eggs within a specialized ventral brood pouch known as a marsupium. The young emerge as fully formed miniatures and require stable moisture to survive their initial delicate molts.
- Venenoso
- No
- Tolerância de tratamento
- Tolerant
- Handling should be kept to an absolute minimum to avoid causing unnecessary stress. Their incredibly delicate bodies and limbs can be easily injured by improper or forceful grasping. If relocation is absolutely necessary, gently move them by scooping up the bark or leaf they are resting on.
- Brumação
- Não obrigatório
- They generally do not require any brumation period when kept in a controlled captive environment. Maintaining stable and appropriately warm temperatures ensures continuous year-round activity and breeding success. It is important to avoid extreme cold to prevent potential and sudden colony crashes.
- Muda
- Periodic
- Molting occurs in two very distinct phases to allow the isopod continuous mobility during the process. Adequate environmental humidity is absolutely essential for them to successfully shed their old exoskeleton without complications. They will usually consume their freshly shed skin in order to rapidly reclaim lost calcium.
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