Reptoria

Porcellio succinctus isopod (Porcellio succinctus)

Porcellio succinctus isopod (Porcellio succinctus) in a terrarium

Invertebrates · Difficulty: Intermediate

Key facts and care guidance for Porcellio succinctus isopod (Porcellio succinctus) (origin: Southeastern Spain (e.g. Murcia, around Cartagena); limestone cliffs). Adult size around About 2.5–3 cm; males with long tail appendages, the large form „Pastel Giant“ up to about 5 cm including appendages. Life expectancy 2–2.5 years (dealer figure). The values below are carefully researched guidance.

Short answers

Porcellio succinctus isopod: How big does the enclosure need to be?

35×25×20 cm (about 15 l), better 40×30×25 cm (about 25 l); large ventilation areas, cool location.

Porcellio succinctus isopod: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 18–24 °C (tolerates 15–26 °C, no summer heat), basking spot No basking spot, at night Room temperature, about 15–20 °C.

Porcellio succinctus isopod: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Not required.

Porcellio succinctus isopod: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 2–2.5 years (dealer figure).

Porcellio succinctus isopod: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature
18–24 °C (tolerates 15–26 °C, no summer heat)
Night temperature
Room temperature, about 15–20 °C
Basking spot
No basking spot
Humidity
45–55 % (only one corner moist, the rest dry)
UVB
Not required

Enclosure

Minimum size
35×25×20 cm (about 15 l), better 40×30×25 cm (about 25 l); large ventilation areas, cool location
Substrate
Soil and leaf litter mix with plenty of calcium (ideally limestone chunks), cork or tree bark, moist moss and rotten white wood under leaves in one corner

Feeding

Food
Leaf litter, rotten white wood, vegetables, fruit, mushrooms, lichen, protein (fish flakes), plenty of calcium (limestone, cuttlebone)
Feeding interval
Vegetables/protein twice a week, leaves/wood/calcium always available

Key facts

Adult size
About 2.5–3 cm; males with long tail appendages, the large form „Pastel Giant“ up to about 5 cm including appendages
Life expectancy
2–2.5 years (dealer figure)
Origin
Southeastern Spain (e.g. Murcia, around Cartagena); limestone cliffs
Protection status
Not protected
Brumation
None
Cohabitation
Colony. Keep as a group, starting with 10 animals. Only this one species per box – large Porcellio will nibble on freshly moulted smaller isopods when short of protein, and other species usually need more moisture.

Notes

Large, striking limestone-cliff isopod from southeastern Spain that must be kept dry, airy and above all not too warm – summer heat can kill a colony. Breeds slowly; not for the impatient.

Look for Porcellio succinctus isopod (Porcellio succinctus) in the marketplace →

Related species

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Porcellio succinctus isopod (Porcellio succinctus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (35×25×20 cm (about 15 l), better 40×30×25 cm (about 25 l); large ventilation areas, cool location), substrate (Soil and leaf litter mix with plenty of calcium (ideally limestone chunks), cork or tree bark, moist moss and rotten white wood under leaves in one corner), 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: 10 October 2026 · Editor: Reptoria editorial team · Sources include: Exuvium Isopods – Porcellio succinctus ‚Pastel Giant‘: Cartagena/Murcia, bis 52 mm mit Uropoden, 15–26 °C, 45–55 %, nur eine Ecke feucht, Lüftung, Futter, Eiweiß 2×/Woche, Reife ca. 3 Monate, versteckt, nachts/früh morgens, empfindlich gegen Sommerhitze, anspruchsvoll, 9,10 €/Tier – https://exuvium.net/porcellio-succinctus-pastel-isopods-for-sale/, Smug Bug – Porcellio succinctus: spanische Kalkfelsen, etwa 2,5 cm, Männchen mit langen Uropoden, saisonal 1–2× jährlich meist im Sommer, viel Kalk (Kalkstein), langsame Vermehrung – https://www.smug-bug.com/available-animals/Porcellio-succinctus-p510650217, Smug Bug – Misconceptions in giant isopod care: Feuchtezugang, Querlüftung, Mindestgröße 15 l, Warnzeichen nach Alter der Toten – https://www.smug-bug.com/post/misconceptions-in-giant-isopod-care, Exuvium Isopods – Porcellio succinctus ‚Black Ribs‘: Spanien, bis 45 mm mit Anhängen, 14–26 °C, 45–55 %, verträgt keine hohe Feuchte, Reife 3–4 Monate, 2–2,5 Jahre, empfindlich gegen Sommerhitze, Preise 9 €/40 €/70 € – https://exuvium.net/porcellio-succinctus-black-ribs-isopods-for-sale/, GBIF – Porcellio succinctus Budde-Lund, 1885 (akzeptiert), Nachweise Spanien – https://www.gbif.org/species/6284428

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).