Trachelipus caucasius Isopods

Trachelipus caucasius is a genuinely striking, flat-profiled species that looks like a tiny prehistoric fossil moving across the substrate. They are instantly recognizable by their broad, heavily built, and slightly bumpy carapaces. Their coloration features a deep matte slate-black or dark charcoal central body that is beautifully framed by a contrasting, bright orange-to-yellow rim running along the entire outer edge of their segment skirts. They are a flat-bodied species that cannot roll into a complete ball, relying instead on their wider, expanded side skirting to press tightly against surfaces when threatened. Because they have a unique old-world look and a calm demeanor, they make an exceptionally eye-catching and tranquil display animal.

This species is an exceptional pick for both absolute beginners looking for an easy-going pet and advanced collectors who want to add an architectural, flat-bodied species to their cultures. They are a perfect fit for keepers who enjoy meticulously observing their animals, as they are a bit more surface-active and relaxed than highly cryptic burrowers, often congregating around the edges of cork bark and leaf litter. While their somewhat harder exterior means they aren't the best choice to use as a feeder animal, they make an amazing, hard-working bioactive cleanup crew for temperate or semi-arid setups. If you want a peaceful, steady breeder that provides a bold, natural beauty without a stressful maintenance routine, this is the ideal choice.

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Trachelipus caucasius

ORIGIN: Native to Eastern Europe and the Caucasus region, including areas like Georgia and Russia.

DIFFICULTY: Very Easy / Beginner

TEMPERATURE RANGE: 18-26°C. They are highly resilient and adapt easily to normal household room temperatures, but they do best with steady warmth.

HUMIDITY & MOISTURE: 60-70% humidity. They should be treated as a temperate, breathable species rather than a wet tropical one. It is essential to set up a clean moisture gradient where roughly 25% of the enclosure has a damp sphagnum moss hideout, while the rest of the layout stays dry. They require excellent airflow and ventilation to prevent stuffy, stagnant conditions.

DIETARY NEEDS: Their base diet relies heavily on a permanent supply of organic deciduous leaf litter and crumbling white-rotted hardwood. Supplement them once or twice a week with easy protein updates like dried fish flakes, minnows, or shrimp. You must also provide a continuous, permanent calcium source like cuttlefish bone or limestone chunks to support their thick, heavily armored carapaces.

ACTIVITY LEVELS: Moderately active. They have a very calm and relaxed nature, making them easy to spot as they casually roam along surface routes and tree bark.

REPRODUCTION RATE: Moderate. They are reliable, steady breeders that will consistently build up a highly stable colony over time without overwhelming your setup with an immediate population crisis.

SIZES: You will receive a healthy, robust mix of sizes ranging from growing juveniles to young adults, providing an excellent demographic mix. Fully matured adults are a medium-to-large species, reaching between 1.5cm and 2cm 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