Porcellio laevis “Dalmatian”

Short description:

Porcellio laevis “Panda” is a cultivated colour morph of Porcellio laevis. This particular colour morph is known under many different names. For example Porcellio laevis “Dalmation”, Porcellio laevis “Dairy Cow”, Porcellio laevis “Dalmatian”, Dalmatian isopod or Panda isopod. The many different names probably come from the fact that this isopod species is cosmopolitan. Porcellio laevis “Panda” can grow up to 2.3 cm and has a development time of about 7-8 months. It is very eager to reproduce!

Porcellio laevis “Panda” has a flat, broad body. This colour morph is characterised by a light grey to milky white ground colour. On this light background there are differently arranged and also differently pronounced dark spots.

The animals live in the litter layer of deciduous forests, which is why you should also try to recreate this habitat in the terrarium. The substrate is a mixture of leaves, soil, white rotten wood and lime. A layer of moss, pieces of bark and foliage should be placed on top of the substrate so that the animals can find shelters and the substrate does not dry out so quickly. The humidity in the tank should be around 50-70%, making sure that the substrate is always kept moist but not wet. Porcellio laevis “Panda” is a very robust isopod species and can be kept at higher humidities if waterlogging is avoided. The isopods are most active at temperatures between 18 and 26°C. Porcellio laevis “Panda” can generally often be observed as this isopod species is diurnal. With the right population density, you can always spot some if you look into the tank. Porcellio laevis “Panda” are an excellent addition to various tanks. For example, they can be kept together with snails, millipedes, phasmids, beetles etc. without hesitation. Many people also keep them in reptile tanks as a health policeman, as they eat food scraps and occasionally serve as food for the reptiles. Theoretically, the organic material contained in the substrate would be sufficient food for the isopods, as this is also the main food of the animals in nature. In the terrarium, however, they also like to eat vegetables, flowers, fruit and isopod food.

Essentials for Porcellio laevis “Panda”!