Armadilldium flavoscatum "Red Head" Isopods

Armadillidium flavoscutatum "Red Head" is a highly desirable and visually stunning pill woodlouse that offers an exceptional two-tone look. Originating in northern Albania, they feature a clean, highly polished, and near-black or deep dark brown body that contrasts sharply with a bright, vivid red-orange head shield. As true pill woodlice, they are fully capable of tight, perfect conglobation, rolling up into a glossy dark bead crowned with a bright red top when startled. They are highly appreciated in the hobby because they combine a premium, collector-tier appearance with incredibly straightforward, dependable care.

This species is a perfect match for both entry-level beginners and advanced collectors who want a beautiful, easy-to-observe display animal. Because they are entirely native to Southern Europe, they are uniquely well-suited for typical indoor household conditions, handling local seasonal swings with total ease. They have a very calm and bold nature, meaning they spend plenty of time openly active on the surface rather than remaining permanently buried in the dirt. While their slow-rolling behavior and smooth exterior mean they are kept strictly as a prized display pet rather than a feeder source, they make a fantastic, hardy addition to temperate or Mediterranean-style bioactive setups.

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Armadillidium flavoscutatum "Red Head"

ORIGIN: Northern Albania region, native to Mediterranean limestone hillsides and deciduous forest floors.

DIFFICULTY: Very Easy / Beginner

TEMPERATURE RANGE: 18-26°C. They do perfectly at standard room temperatures all year round without requiring any supplementary heating equipment.

HUMIDITY & MOISTURE: 50-70% humidity. They require a distinct Mediterranean moisture gradient rather than a uniformly damp tropical environment. Maintain a layout where roughly one-third of the enclosure features a moist sphagnum moss patch for essential hydration, leaving the remaining two-thirds of the floor completely dry. They require excellent cross-ventilation, as stagnant air and oversaturated substrate are highly detrimental.

DIETARY NEEDS: Their base diet relies heavily on a permanent supply of organic deciduous leaf litter and crumbling white-rotted wood. Because they are a highly productive species, they should be supplemented once or twice a week with easy protein updates like high-quality fish flakes, dried shrimp, or minnows. As heavy shell-builders, a permanent source of calcium—such as cuttlefish bone or limestone chunks—must be kept in the enclosure at all times.

ACTIVITY LEVELS: High. They have a remarkably confident and non-cryptic disposition, regularly foraging out in the open and scaling pieces of cork bark during both day and night cycles.

REPRODUCTION RATE: Prolific. Unlike many other rare or highly sought-after Armadillidium species that take a long time to establish, the Red Head line is an exceptionally fast breeder that builds up dense colony numbers at a very satisfying pace.

SIZES: You will receive a healthy, robust mix of sizes ranging from growing juveniles to young adults, providing an optimal demographic mix to ensure immediate colony establishment. Fully matured adults are a medium-to-large species, reaching between 1.5cm and 2.0cm in length. Fragile newborn mancae are never intentionally counted or shipped, though some may emerge naturally during transit.

PACKAGING: The isopods are packed with great care inside well-ventilated plastic travel tubs layered with damp sphagnum moss to ensure stable transit moisture. These containers are securely nested inside a sturdy shipping box padded with eco-fill, paper, or thick cardboard to completely insulate the culture from movement and extreme outdoor temperature spikes.

100% LIVE ARRIVAL: At TerraPods, we offer a 100% live arrival guarantee

20% OVERCOUNT: All isopod packages will come with a 20% overcount