Rough woodlouse (Porcellio scaber)

Short answers

Rough woodlouse: How big does the enclosure need to be?

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

Rough woodlouse: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 18–24 °C, at night 12–20 °C.

Rough woodlouse: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: No UVB needed.

Rough woodlouse: How long do they live?

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

Rough woodlouse: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

18–24 °C

Night temperature

12–20 °C

Basking spot

—

Humidity

65–80 % (humid, 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

Forest humus or coco with sphagnum, leaf litter, rotten wood and bark; damp but well ventilated, never drying out completely

Feeding

Food

Fallen leaves, bark, rotten wood, fungi, vegetables; protein and calcium

Feeding interval

protein and vegetables 1–2×/week, leaf litter and wood always available

Key facts

Adult size

approx. 1.0–1.8 cm

Life expectancy

approx. 2–3 years (up to ~4)

Origin

Europe, introduced worldwide

Protection status

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

Brumation

None (a native species; a cooler overwintering is possible but not essential)

Cohabitation

Colony. The animals naturally form dense aggregations and are kept as a group – 10 to 20 animals to start. Only one species and one colour morph per tub: morphs interbreed back within two to three generations, and as a very prolific species it crowds out slower isopods.

Notes

The classic clean-up and feeder isopod for bioactive terrariums; crepuscular and nocturnal, very robust and undemanding. Numerous cultivated colour forms (orange, dalmatian, koi). A gill breather – it needs permanently damp areas.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Rough woodlouse (Porcellio scaber) in the marketplace →

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

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Rough woodlouse (Porcellio scaber) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (a box from 20×15×15 cm for a starter colony; a colony animal), substrate (Forest humus or coco with sphagnum, leaf litter, rotten wood and bark; damp but well ventilated, never drying out completely), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.