Armadillidium gestroi

Behavior:

Like to stay under foliage.

I bought my animals from a Frenchman who told me a bit about where they are found. Armadillidium gestroi are relatively local and can only be found on rocky cliffs. These usually consist of relatively erosion-resistant material such as sandstone, limestone or granite. It is therefore certainly an advantage to place one or two limestones in the box in order to get as close as possible to the animals in their natural environment.

Large limestone deposits can be found in central and southern Germany, for example in the Swabian and Franconian Alb.

Breeding:

Simple breeding with an average development time. Rearing the young is very easy and hardly causes any losses. However, the offspring rate of Armadillidium gestroi in my breeding is nowhere near as high as with other Armadillidium species. I have not calculated it exactly, but I have the feeling that the reproduction rate is around a factor of 3.

Special features:

The animals’ habitat is relatively moist, so you should always make sure that the substrate never dries out. Armadillidium gestroi like to eat leaves and they often hide under them. Other food is only accepted sporadically but should always be offered from time to time. They are particularly fond of maple leaves. However, you should watch out for mold with this type of foliage or stock the breeding stock directly with tropical springtails.

The appearance of this Isopod is absolutely fascinating. Its imposing size and bright colors lay the foundation for its impressive appearance. The segment plates end at a distance from the one next to them. As a result, they do not appear as smooth as many other isopod species but give the impression of a knight with many different pieces of armor.

Tip: Be sure to cover the limestone and the surface with leaves. This will provide a great food and hiding place.

More information will follow!