Armadillidium gestroi "Mixed Morph"

Armadillidium gestroi "Mixed Morph" is a truly spectacular, high-contrast, and visually dynamic collection of one of the most magnificent giant pill woodlice in the entire invertebrate hobby. This specific colony mix beautifully brings together two stunning genetic lines: the classic, highly coveted Yellow Spotted morph and the striking, ethereal White Spotted morph. Fully matured adults are an absolute marvel to behold, reaching an impressive, heavy-bodied length of up to 3cm. Their smooth, highly polished, and intensely segmented carapaces feature a deep midnight-black or dark charcoal base, brilliantly splattered with rows of either bright neon-lemon yellow or clean, milky-white spots. Unlike flat-bodied species, Armadillidium gestroi are masters of defense and are capable of tight, perfect conglobation, rolling up into a massive, flawless, high-contrast armored ball when they feel startled or threatened. They add an incredible level of diversity, color movement, and charm to any dedicated collection.

This species is absolutely ideal for beginners and advanced collectors alike who want a large, remarkably bold, and highly rewarding display animal that does not spend its entire life hidden away under the soil. Because of their immense size, slow-moving grace, and confident nature, they are fantastic for keepers who want an isopod that is constantly out and about exploring cork bark and rocks. While they are a bit too premium and slow-growing initially to be used as a basic cleanup crew for heavy waste producers, they make a spectacular, visually mind-blowing choice for specialized communal displays, large temperate bio-active setups, or dedicated display cultures where their beautiful spotting can be fully appreciated. If you are looking for a bulletproof giant starter species that pairs very easy care requirements with a spectacular, dual-colored look, this mixed morph is the perfect choice for your next project.

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Armadillidium gestroi

ORIGIN: France and Italy along the Western Mediterranean coast, where they are native to limestone-rich, rocky hillsides, cliff edges, and scrublands.

DIFFICULTY: Very Easy / Beginner

TEMPERATURE RANGE: 18-26°C. They thrive comfortably at standard room temperatures, proving highly resilient to minor household temperature fluctuations.

HUMIDITY & MOISTURE: 60-70% humidity. They require a distinct, well-ventilated moisture gradient inside their enclosure. One-third of the setup should feature a consistently damp sphagnum moss station to provide vital hydration, while the remaining two-thirds should be kept dry but decorated with plenty of cover. They are highly sensitive to stagnant, stuffy air and soggy conditions, so good ventilation is essential.

DIETARY NEEDS: Their primary diet must consist of a thick layer of organic deciduous leaf litter (such as oak, beech, or magnolia) and crumbled white-rotted hardwood. They should be supplemented once or twice a week with protein sources like dried fish flakes, shrimp, or minnows. A permanent, easily accessible source of calcium, such as cuttlefish bone or natural limestone chunks, must be kept in the enclosure at all times to ensure healthy, successful molts and strong shell development.

ACTIVITY LEVELS: High. Once they feel safe in their environment, they are exceptionally bold, curious, and show minimal fear, frequently climbing up bark and exploring the dry areas of their enclosure during both day and night cycles.

REPRODUCTION RATE: Moderate. Due to their large size, they take a bit longer to reach sexual maturity and establish compared to smaller species, but once a colony settles in and stabilizes, they produce healthy, decently sized broods on a steady basis.

SIZES: You will receive a healthy, robust mix of sizes ranging from growing juveniles to young adults, providing your new colony with a perfect demographic balance to kickstart a breeding cycle. The mix will include a beautiful variety of both white-spotted and yellow-spotted individuals. Tiny, fragile mancae are never intentionally shipped out, though it is common for live young to occasionally be born while in transit.

PACKAGING: The isopods are packaged with maximum care inside well-ventilated travel tubs filled with damp sphagnum moss to maintain proper ambient humidity. These tubs are then securely cushioned within a heavy-duty cardboard shipping box using paper, cardboard, or eco-fill to safeguard them entirely from external shocks and sudden temperature changes.

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

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