Cubaris spec. “Panda King Tapir”

Beginner-friendly & beautiful: Panda King Tapir

Cubaris spec. “Panda King Tapir” is still a young breeding form of the popular Panda King Isopod – this variant has only been known in the terrarium hobby since 2020. As a color morph of the original Panda King Isopod, it impresses with a light basic coloration with a darker abdomen, which is reminiscent of the high-contrast black and white markings of a tapir. Their charming look makes them a real eye-catcher in the terrarium, and Panda King Tapir Isopods are surprisingly easy to care for, reproduce readily and are considered robust. Even newcomers to isopod keeping will have a lot of fun with this special breeding form, as keeping and breeding are hardly a problem.

The behavior shows Cubaris spec. “Panda King Tapir” Isopods from their relaxed side. They are quiet contemporaries and at the same time quite active – they can often even be observed on the surface of the terrarium during the day. They are hardly shy: on the contrary, they often dare to come out of their hiding places so that you can witness their hustle and bustle live again and again. This curious and visible nature makes the species particularly attractive for terrarium fans who like to observe their animals.

This Isopod is also uncomplicated when it comes to feeding. In the terrarium it mainly eats soft leaves and other dead plant parts, but also likes some vegetables or special Isopod food. A thick layer of leaf litter should never be missing – the food leaves serve as a permanent buffet and are gradually eaten completely. The industrious crawlers also take care of leftover food and thus keep the tank clean . A source of calcium is also important for healthy carapace development: A cuttlebone in the terrarium ensures that the Panda King Tapir Isopods can absorb enough calcium at all times.

As tropical inhabitants, Panda King Tapir Isopods like a warm, moderately to slightly humid climate. A humus-rich, slightly moist substrate – regularly sprayed – creates ideal conditions. However, waterlogging should be avoided; the environment should always be allowed to dry out partially so that a slightly drier retreat is available. With this mixture of moist and drier zones, the Isopods can always choose the area that is good for them. A temperature in the mid 20 °C range and constant conditions also contribute to the well-being and proliferation of the animals.

Cubaris spec. “Panda King Tapir” combines an exotic look with extremely easy keeping. This pretty morph will delight terrarium fans who value beautiful animals and uncomplicated care. Once you have a small group in the terrarium, they quickly develop into a lively, bustling colony – a real treasure for any tropical terrarium!