Cubaris Sp. "Panda King"

Cubaris sp. "Panda King" is a compact, highly distinctive, and incredibly popular exotic species that serves as a favorite centerpiece in the invertebrate hobby. True to their name, they feature a high-contrast panda-like appearance, with a dark charcoal midsection flanked by a clean white face and tail segment. They possess the characteristic high-domed shell structure and cute, rounded profile typical of Southeast Asian woodlice. As a master of defense, they are fully capable of rolling up into a tight, perfect little monochrome ball when startled. They look absolutely incredible moving across dark soil and mossy setups, making them highly addictive to collect.

This species is the ultimate entry point for anyone who wants to get into exotic Cubaris species without the stress of managing the finicky care requirements of choices like Rubber Duckies. Because they are exceptionally hardy and forgiving, they are widely considered the absolute best starter Cubaris in the hobby. They are a great match for keepers who love setting up beautiful, damp terrariums packed with live moss, cork bark, and limestone caves. Unlike slower rare species, this one won't just hide forever; once they settle into their environment, you will see them confidently out foraging on the surface, making them a highly rewarding display pet.

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Cubaris sp. "Panda King"

ORIGIN: Sourced from the localized karst limestone caves and tropical environments of Southeast Asia, primarily Thailand.

DIFFICULTY: Very Easy / Beginner (Excellent starter Cubaris)

TEMPERATURE RANGE: 18-26°C. They do perfectly at normal household room temperatures, but keeping them around 20-24°C keeps them highly active and breeding consistently.

HUMIDITY & MOISTURE: 75-85% humidity. They need a moist, damp environment to thrive. A great rule of thumb is to keep about 80% of the enclosure damp, with a big patch of wet sphagnum moss on one side so they always have a wet retreat. They do not tolerate bone-dry conditions, so keeping up with misting is essential. Moderate ventilation is ideal to keep the air fresh without drying them out.

DIETARY NEEDS: Their everyday diet relies on a constant supply of organic leaf litter and crumbling white-rotted wood. Because they have thick, heavily calcified shells, you must provide a permanent calcium source like cuttlefish bone or limestone chunks. Supplement them once or twice a week with easy protein updates like high-quality fish flakes, dried shrimp, or minnows to keep the colony growing fast.

ACTIVITY LEVELS: Moderately active. They might spend the first couple of weeks burrowing and settling in, but once the colony grows, they become incredibly bold and love exploring mossy patches and bark during both day and night.

REPRODUCTION RATE: Prolific. Unlike many slow-growing exotic species, the Panda King reproduces reliably and establishes dense numbers at a very satisfying pace.

SIZES: You will receive a healthy mix of sizes ranging from small growing juveniles to young adults, giving you the perfect age balance to kickstart a breeding cycle. As a smaller species, fully grown adults reach a maximum size of only about 1.0cm to 1.5cm. 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 travel tubs filled with damp sphagnum moss to maintain perfect 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