Spanish orange isopod (Porcellio magnificus)

Short answers

Spanish orange isopod: How big does the enclosure need to be?

30×20×15 cm.

Spanish orange isopod: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 20–26 °C, basking spot No basking spot, at night 16–20 °C.

Spanish orange isopod: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Not required.

Spanish orange isopod: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 2–4 years.

Spanish orange isopod: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

20–26 °C

Night temperature

16–20 °C

Basking spot

No basking spot

Humidity

50–65 %, mostly dry

UVB

Not required

Enclosure

Minimum size

30×20×15 cm

Substrate

A sand and soil mix, limestone, leaf litter, mostly dry

Feeding

Food

Leaf litter, vegetables, dry food, cuttlebone

Feeding interval

2×/week

Key facts

Adult size

2.5–3.5 cm (the largest European isopod)

Life expectancy

2–4 years

Origin

Spain

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Colony. Isopods are gregarious; animals of different sizes live mixed together in the group – 5 to 10 animals to start with plenty of flat-stacked bark, so that males can get away from irritated females. Only this one species per tub: it breeds slowly and is crowded out by more prolific isopods.

Notes

Europe's largest terrestrial isopod, to be kept markedly drier than tropical species – waterlogging kills the colony. It grows slowly and breeds sparingly.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Spanish orange isopod (Porcellio magnificus) 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 Spanish orange isopod (Porcellio magnificus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (30×20×15 cm), substrate (A sand and soil mix, limestone, leaf litter, mostly dry), a heat source with a thermostat, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.