Common pill woodlouse (Armadillidium vulgare)

Short answers

Common pill woodlouse: How big does the enclosure need to be?

A box from 20×15×15 cm for a starter colony; a colony animal.

Common pill woodlouse: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 18–24 °C, at night 15–20 °C.

Common pill woodlouse: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: No UVB needed.

Common pill woodlouse: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 2–3 years (up to ~4).

Common pill woodlouse: Is it suitable for beginners?

Yes – it is considered suitable for beginners (difficulty: Beginner).

Climate

Daytime temperature

18–24 °C

Night temperature

15–20 °C

Basking spot

—

Humidity

60–80 % (with drier zones)

UVB

No UVB needed

Enclosure

Minimum size

a box from 20×15×15 cm for a starter colony; a colony animal

Substrate

Coco humus or soil with leaf litter and pale wood; semi-dry with a damp corner (sphagnum), well ventilated

Feeding

Food

Fallen leaves, rotten wood, vegetables (cucumber, carrot, pumpkin); protein once or twice a week, calcium (cuttlebone or oyster shell)

Feeding interval

protein/vegetables 2×/week, leaf litter/wood always available

Key facts

Adult size

approx. 1.5–1.8 cm

Life expectancy

approx. 2–3 years (up to ~4)

Origin

Europe and the Mediterranean, introduced worldwide

Protection status

Not protected (no CITES, no German Federal Nature Conservation Act listing)

Brumation

None (a native species; it tolerates a cooler winter spell of 10–15 °C, but this is not essential)

Cohabitation

Colony. The animals naturally huddle together and are kept as a group – 10 to 15 animals to start; studies show isolated animals die more often. Only one species and one colour morph per tub: morphs interbreed back within two to three generations, and other species are crowded out over time or crowd this one out.

Notes

A very robust, undemanding beginner's and bioactive isopod; it rolls up completely. Numerous cultivated forms (Magic Potion, Tangerine). It needs drier zones and good ventilation, and is otherwise easy to care for.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Greek pill woodlouse (Armadillidium gestroi) – Beginner
• Marbled pill woodlouse (Armadillidium granulatum) – Beginner
• Clown isopod (Armadillidium klugii) – Beginner
• Nosy pill woodlouse (Armadillidium nasatum) – Beginner
• Werner's isopod (Armadillidium werneri) – Beginner to intermediate
• Zebra pill woodlouse (Armadillidium maculatum) – Beginner
• Little sea isopod (Cubaris murina) – Beginner
• Giant canyon isopod (Porcellio dilatatus) – Beginner

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Common pill woodlouse (Armadillidium vulgare) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (a box from 20×15×15 cm for a starter colony; a colony animal), substrate (Coco humus or soil with leaf litter and pale wood; semi-dry with a damp corner (sphagnum), well ventilated), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.