Dairy cow isopod (Porcellio laevis)

Short answers

Dairy cow isopod: How big does the enclosure need to be?

A box of ~30 x 20 cm or larger (very active, breeds readily).

Dairy cow isopod: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 21–29 °C.

Dairy cow isopod: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: No.

Dairy cow isopod: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 1–2 years.

Dairy cow isopod: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

21–29 °C

Night temperature

—

Basking spot

—

Humidity

50–70 % with a dry side

UVB

No

Enclosure

Minimum size

a box of ~30 x 20 cm or larger (very active, breeds readily)

Substrate

Soil or coco humus, leaf litter, white-rotted wood; a damp and a dry zone

Feeding

Food

Leaf litter, rotten wood, vegetables, protein regularly, calcium

Feeding interval

top up 1–2×/week

Key facts

Adult size

up to ~2 cm

Life expectancy

1–2 years

Origin

Originally the Mediterranean region and North Africa, now spread worldwide

Protection status

—

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Colony keeping; not with slow-growing isopods (it outcompetes them). These animals naturally live in groups. One colony per enclosure, and don’t merge colonies from different sources — that way you don’t introduce mites or pathogens and don’t mix colour morphs and breeding lines.

Notes

Very fast-growing and productive – an ideal feeder and clean-up isopod. It needs protein and must not dry out permanently.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Dairy cow isopod (Porcellio laevis) currently offered

• +10x Porcellio laevis "Dairy Cow" – Wien · 6 €

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Related species

• Giant canyon isopod (Porcellio dilatatus) – Beginner
• Bolivar's isopod (Porcellio bolivari) – Intermediate
• Giant Spanish isopod (Porcellio expansus) – Beginner to intermediate
• Yellow-bordered woodlouse (Porcellio flavomarginatus) – Beginner
• Porcellio haasi isopod (Porcellio haasi) – Beginner to intermediate
• Orange isopod (Porcellio ornatus) – Beginner to intermediate
• Porcellio succinctus isopod (Porcellio succinctus) – Intermediate
• Greek shield isopod (Porcellio werneri) – Beginner to intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Dairy cow isopod (Porcellio laevis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (a box of ~30 x 20 cm or larger (very active, breeds readily)), substrate (Soil or coco humus, leaf litter, white-rotted wood; a damp and a dry zone), a heat source with a thermostat, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.