Orange isopod (Porcellio ornatus)

Short answers

Orange isopod: How big does the enclosure need to be?

A box of ~20 x 15 cm or larger, medium to high ventilation.

Orange isopod: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 18–26 °C.

Orange isopod: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: No.

Orange isopod: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 2–3 years.

Orange isopod: Is it suitable for beginners?

Partly – manageable with some prior knowledge (difficulty: Beginner to intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

18–26 °C

Night temperature

—

Basking spot

—

Humidity

50–60 %, a very dry zone plus a small humid corner

UVB

No

Enclosure

Minimum size

a box of ~20 x 15 cm or larger, medium to high ventilation

Substrate

Mediterranean substrate (soil, sand and lime), leaf litter, cork bark

Feeding

Food

Leaf litter, rotten wood, vegetables, plenty of protein (dried insects or fish flakes), calcium

Feeding interval

1–2×/week, protein regularly

Key facts

Adult size

~1,8–2 cm

Life expectancy

2–3 years

Origin

The Mediterranean (Spain, North Africa)

Protection status

—

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Colony keeping; no constant moisture. 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 breeding lines.

Notes

It does not tolerate constantly high humidity (a Mediterranean species) – good ventilation and a clear humidity gradient are needed. Fond of protein.

Do you keep this species?

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Orange isopod (Porcellio ornatus) currently offered

• Asseln – Kalefeld · 123 €
• Porcellio ornatus – Wien · 25 €

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• 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
• 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 Orange isopod (Porcellio ornatus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (a box of ~20 x 15 cm or larger, medium to high ventilation), substrate (Mediterranean substrate (soil, sand and lime), leaf litter, cork bark), a heat source with a thermostat, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.