Trichorhina tomentosa 'Dwarf White'

Trichorhina tomentosa "Dwarf White" is a tiny, highly specialized, and essential bioactive woodlouse that acts as the ultimate subterranean sanitation worker for indoor habitats. Unlike large, colorful display species, these isopods are exceptionally small, reaching a maximum length of only about 2mm to 3mm as fully grown adults. They feature a clean, completely white or translucent exoskeleton with a slightly rough, granular texture under close inspection. They are a tropical, soil-dwelling species that spends its entire life beneath the surface or buried deep within live moss. Because they are a parthenogenic species—consisting entirely of cloning females—they do not need pairs to reproduce, making them an incredibly stable and self-sustaining underground engine for a healthy micro-ecosystem.

This isopod is the absolute gold standard and default choice for dart frog keepers, reptile hobbyists, and bioactive terrarium builders who need a dedicated, invisible cleanup crew. Because of their tiny size and soft carapaces, they are completely safe to introduce alongside sensitive animals and serve as an excellent, highly nutritious micro-feeder for baby frogs, small geckos, and dart frogs. They are not meant to be a high-visibility display animal, as they strictly hide away from the light. Instead, they are perfect for anyone wanting a bulletproof, low-maintenance organism that burrows through the substrate, prevents soil compaction, and relentlessly consumes mold, root rot, and organic waste from the bottom up.

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Trichorhina tomentosa

ORIGIN: Native to tropical regions of the Americas and global tropical zones, though they are now cultured extensively in captivity worldwide.

DIFFICULTY: Very Easy / Beginner

TEMPERATURE RANGE: 20-28°C. Being a tropical species, they prefer warm, stable conditions and will become sluggish or stop breeding if kept in cold room temperatures below their comfort zone.

HUMIDITY & MOISTURE: 75-90% humidity. They require a thoroughly damp, humid, and moisture-rich environment to survive. Unlike European species, they have very little tolerance for dry air or dry soil. Keep the vast majority of the substrate consistently moist, making sure they always have a deep, damp layer of soil or wet sphagnum moss to hide in. Good substrate depth of at least 2 to 3 inches is highly recommended so they can tunnel properly.

DIETARY NEEDS: Their everyday diet relies entirely on organic waste, decaying plant root systems, leaf litter, and subterranean mold. They are exceptional at recycling terrarium debris. You can supplement the soil occasionally with easy protein updates like fish flakes or specialized isopod powder, but their primary nourishment comes directly from the organic elements within a healthy substrate mix. Keep a small bit of calcium in the soil mixture to keep their populations robust.

ACTIVITY LEVELS: Hidden and fossorial. They are strictly nocturnal and soil-dwelling, meaning you will rarely see them walking openly on the surface during the day unless you lift up a piece of bark or dig into the moss.

REPRODUCTION RATE: Prolific. Because they are parthenogenic, every single adult in the colony clones itself and produces live young without needing a mate. Once they acclimate to a warm, humid setup, their numbers will climb steadily and create a massive underground network.

SIZES: You will receive a healthy, established starter culture mixed directly into a small container of moist soil or sphagnum moss, containing a demographic mix of juveniles and adults. Because they are miniature dwarf isopods, they will appear as tiny white flecks moving through the substrate.

PACKAGING: The culture travels securely inside a ventilated plastic container packed with damp, nutrient-rich soil or moss to preserve moisture. This tub is safely nested inside a sturdy shipping box padded with paper or cardboard to protect the colony from movement and temperature fluctuations.

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

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