Giant Canyon Isopods (Porcellio dilatatus)

Giant Canyon Isopods (Porcellio dilatatus) are a tremendously popular, robust, and impressively sized species that has become an absolute staple in the invertebrate hobby. True to their name, they are one of the larger common species available, with mature adults easily reaching lengths of up to 2cm. They feature a wide, heavily built, and distinctively flattened body shape that makes them look much broader than standard woodlice. Their coloration is a beautiful, understated matte slate-grey to dusty brown, which blends perfectly into woodland layouts. They are a rough-textured species covered in subtle microscopic nodules, and because they are flat-bodied, they are completely unable to roll into a ball. Instead, they rely on their strength, deceptive speed, and heavy build to thrive, making them a fantastic and active addition to any setup.

This species is the absolute gold standard for reptile keepers, amphibian enthusiasts, and isopod collectors who want an exceptionally strong, heavy-duty, and bulletproof cleanup crew. Because they are highly resilient, they are perfect for larger, heavier setups housing animals like blue-tongued skinks, bearded dragons, and medium-sized monitors that create substantial amounts of waste. They are also incredibly popular as a feeder species for larger predatory reptiles due to their high nutritional value. If you are a total beginner looking for a highly forgiving starter species that easily handles minor husbandry mistakes, or a reptile keeper seeking a relentless bioactive cleanup crew that establishes incredibly fast, Giant Canyons are the perfect match.

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Porcellio dilatatus

ORIGIN: Western and Central Europe, but they have now become a widely established cosmopolitan species found in various temperate climates across the globe due to human travel.

DIFFICULTY: Very Easy / Beginner

TEMPERATURE RANGE: 18-26°C. They are incredibly adaptive and thrive easily at standard room temperatures, showing immense resilience to seasonal changes.

HUMIDITY & MOISTURE: 55-75% humidity. They require a distinct moisture gradient within their enclosure. Maintain a strict setup where one-third of the environment features a moist, damp sphagnum moss zone for hydration, while the remaining two-thirds stay on the drier side. They have a brilliant tolerance for slightly drier conditions compared to tropical species, provided they have a humid retreat.

DIETARY NEEDS: Their primary diet must consist of a deep layer of organic forest materials, including decaying leaf litter and rotting hardwood. Because they are a large, fast-growing Porcellio species, they have an immense appetite for protein and must be supplemented regularly with dried fish flakes, shrimp, or minnows. A permanent, easily accessible source of calcium, such as cuttlefish bone or limestone chunks, is absolutely vital to support their thick exoskeletons.

ACTIVITY LEVELS: High. They are bold, inquisitive, and highly surface-active, regularly seen scrambling over cork bark, rearranging leaf litter, and foraging openly throughout the day and night.

REPRODUCTION RATE: Prolific. Once they acclimate to their enclosure, they reproduce exceptionally fast with large brood sizes, resulting in a rapid population explosion within just a few months.

SIZES: You will receive a healthy, diverse mix of sizes ranging from larger juveniles to established young adults, creating an ideal demographic to jumpstart reproduction. Newborn mancae are never intentionally shipped out due to their fragile nature, but because this species is highly prolific, females may occasionally give birth while in transit.

PACKAGING: The isopods are packed with great care inside small, ventilated plastic containers filled with clean, damp sphagnum moss to regulate humidity. These tubs are securely nestled inside a sturdy cardboard shipping box padded with eco-fill, paper, or 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