Giant isopod (Porcellio hoffmannseggi)
Invertebrates · Difficulty: Beginner to intermediate
Key facts and care guidance for Giant isopod (Porcellio hoffmannseggi) (origin: The Iberian Peninsula (Spain, Portugal), North Africa). Adult size around 3–4 cm (one of the largest isopod species). Life expectancy 2–4 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Giant isopod: How big does the enclosure need to be?
A box of ~30 x 20 cm or larger, good ventilation.
Giant isopod: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 20–27 °C.
Giant isopod: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: No.
Giant isopod: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 2–4 years.
Giant isopod: Is it suitable for beginners?
Partly – manageable with some prior knowledge (difficulty: Beginner to intermediate).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 20–27 °C
- Night temperature
- —
- Basking spot
- —
- Humidity
- 50–70 % with a dry zone
- UVB
- No
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- a box of ~30 x 20 cm or larger, good ventilation
- Substrate
- A soil or coco humus and sand mix, ~10 cm, with leaf litter and wood
Feeding
- Food
- Leaf litter, white-rotted wood, vegetables, protein regularly, calcium
- Feeding interval
- top up 1–2×/week
Key facts
- Adult size
- 3–4 cm (one of the largest isopod species)
- Life expectancy
- 2–4 years
- Origin
- The Iberian Peninsula (Spain, Portugal), North Africa
- Protection status
- —
- Brumation
- None
- Cohabitation
- Keep as a colony; do not mix with slow small isopods (outcompetes them). These animals naturally live in groups. One colony per enclosure. When protein is lacking, moulting animals get nibbled by their own kind, so offer protein regularly.
Notes
The "titan" isopod, very large. It needs good ventilation, a dry zone plus a damp retreat corner, and regular protein.
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Giant isopod (Porcellio hoffmannseggi) currently offered
- 10x Porcellio hoffmannseggi "Yeti" – Wien · 90 €
- Porcellio hoffmannseggi Orange – Orange · Düsseldorf · 30 €
Related species
- Giant canyon isopod (Porcellio dilatatus) – Beginner
- Dairy cow isopod (Porcellio laevis) – 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
What you need to start
To keep Giant isopod (Porcellio hoffmannseggi) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (a box of ~30 x 20 cm or larger, good ventilation), substrate (A soil or coco humus and sand mix, ~10 cm, with leaf litter and wood), a heat source with a thermostat, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.
The complete, interactive care database is in the Reptoria app.
Last updated: 24 September 2026 · Editor: Reptoria editorial team · Sources include: garnelio.de, insektenliebe.com, lovelyinsects.com, terraristikladen.de, world-of-isopods.de
All values are non-binding guidance and do not replace expert advice. Research thoroughly from several sources before acquiring and keeping an animal, and observe the applicable law (species and animal protection in particular).