Porcellio scaber "Grey" Isopods

Porcellio scaber "Grey" represents the true, classic wild-type form of the common rough woodlouse, celebrated for its legendary resilience and historical importance in the hobby. They feature a solid, deep slate-grey, charcoal, or dark pewter carapace that provides a beautifully natural and classic woodland appearance. True to the species name, their dorsal surface is heavily covered in prominent microscopic bumps and tubercles, giving them a rugged, highly textured, matte finish rather than a glossy shell. They are flat-bodied, moderately sized woodlice that are entirely unable to roll into a perfect ball. Instead, they rely on their rough armor, natural camouflage, and ability to play dead when startled to protect themselves, making them a fascinatingly active and rugged addition to any collection.

This species is the absolute benchmark choice for total beginners looking for a bulletproof starter pet, as well as reptile and amphibian keepers who need an unstoppable, heavy-duty bioactive cleanup crew. Thanks to their extreme hardiness, adaptability, and high surface activity, they are a flawless match for setups housing small to medium-sized frogs, geckos, and invertebrates. They are an absolute powerhouse at devouring leaf litter, animal feces, mold, and shed skin at a blistering pace, keeping the enclosure pristine. Because they multiply so easily and safely, they also double as a fantastic, highly nutritious supplementary feeder source for many micro-predators. If you want a zero-stress, highly functional, and naturally understated isopod that easily handles minor husbandry mistakes, the wild-type Grey morph is the perfect pick.

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Porcellio scaber "Grey"

ORIGIN: Native throughout Western and Central Europe, though their incredible adaptability has allowed them to become naturalized globally across almost every continent.

DIFFICULTY: Very Easy / Beginner

TEMPERATURE RANGE: 18-26°C. They adapt effortlessly to standard room temperatures and tolerate typical seasonal indoor temperature changes with total ease.

HUMIDITY & MOISTURE: 50-60% humidity. They are remarkably drought-tolerant compared to more sensitive species but still require a dependable moisture gradient. Maintain a strict layout where one-third of the enclosure features a damp, well-misted sphagnum moss patch for essential hydration, while the remaining two-thirds stay completely dry and covered in shelter. They prefer moderate cross-ventilation and will struggle in stagnant, swampy tropical environments.

DIETARY NEEDS: Their foundational diet rests upon a permanent, deep supply of organic deciduous leaf litter and crumbling white-rotted wood. They have a notably high craving for animal matter and should be consistently supplemented at least twice a week with protein sources like dried fish flakes, shrimp, or minnows. A continuous source of calcium, such as cuttlefish bone or limestone chunks, is absolutely vital to support their heavily calcified carapaces during their frequent molting cycles.

ACTIVITY LEVELS: Bolder and more surface-active than many cryptic species, they can frequently be seen clumped together under bark or openly exploring the dry zones of their habitat during daylight and evening hours alike.

REPRODUCTION RATE: Prolific and fast. They are incredibly reliable breeders that establish dense colonies very quickly, producing healthy broods of 12-20 mancae per clutch that rapidly grow to maturity.

SIZES: You will receive a healthy, robust mix of sizes ranging from developing juveniles to young adults, providing an optimal demographic mix to jumpstart your culture. 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 humidity. 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