Milkback (Porcellio laevis)

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Milkback Isopods (Porcellio laevis) – Hardy, Active, and Efficient Cleaners

Milkback isopods are striking with their bold black-and-white patterns, making them both functional and eye-catching. They’re hardy, reproduce quickly, and thrive in bioactive setups with larger reptiles or higher waste loads. Excellent at burrowing and huddling, they help maintain a balanced, self-cleaning environment.
🥛 Strong waste cleaners | 🐍 Perfect for bioactive reptile enclosures | 🌱 Fast-breeding and resilient

Humidity Requirements: Arid with a moist area (40–70%)
Temperature Range: 70–90°F
Habits: Detritivores that prefer moist, dark spaces, often burrowing and clustering together
Size: Up to 17mm

Not recommended for keeping with soft bodied animals such as amphibians.

Helpful Tip:

The general rule of thumb is to use 10-15 isopods per square foot of enclosure space. (For lightly populated set-ups estimate 10/sq ft. For more densely populated set-ups use 15/sq ft.)

Keywords: milk back isopods for sale, Porcellio laevis, large isopods, spotted isopods

Habitat

Container:
Use a plastic or glass container with a secure, ventilated lid. Drill small holes or use a mesh lid for airflow while maintaining humidity.
Substrate:
Provide 2-3 inches of moist substrate, such as a mix of coco coir, sphagnum moss, and leaf litter. Add crushed eggshells or cuttlebone for calcium.
Hides:
Add bark, cork pieces, or decomposing wood for shelter and additional food.

Temperature and Humidity

Temperature:
Maintain between 70-85°F, depending on the species. Most isopods thrive in moderate to warm conditions.
Humidity:
Keep the habitat moist (60-80% humidity). Mist lightly every few days but avoid waterlogging the substrate.

Food

Diet:
Isopods primarily eat decomposing organic matter. Provide leaf litter, rotting wood, and decaying plant material.
Supplement:
Offer small amounts of vegetables (e.g., zucchini, carrots) or commercial isopod food. Replace uneaten food regularly to avoid mold.
Calcium
Source: Provide crushed eggshells, cuttlebone, or calcium powder to support healthy molting.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Spot
Cleaning: Remove moldy or uneaten food regularly to prevent overgrowth.
Substrate
Refresh: Replace the substrate every 3-6 months or as needed, but leave some old material to retain beneficial microbes.

Lifecycle

Reproduction:
Isopods are prolific breeders, producing live young (mancae) that look like tiny adults. They mature in 8-12 weeks.
Colony
Growth: A healthy colony can double in size within a few months under optimal conditions.

Species Considerations

Arid Species (e.g., Porcellio dialatatus): Tolerant of lower humidity and warm temperatures.
Temperate Species (e.g., Porcellio scaber, Armadillidium maculatum): Tolerant of a wider range of humidity and temperatures.
Tropical Species (e.g., Cubaris murina, Armadillidium vulgare): Require higher humidity and warmer temperatures
Dwarf Species: (e.g., Trichorhina tomentosa) Perfect for small setups due to their size and minimal care requirements.

Tips for Bioactive Setups

Add isopods directly to terrarium soil along with springtails for waste management and mold prevention.
They coexist well with reptiles and amphibians in humid environments.

Shipping

We ship Monday- Wednesday. If your temperature is below 40 or above 80 degrees, you must hold at facility to receive live arrival guarantee.

We are not responsible for incorrect shipping addresses, please double check the shipping address you provide us. It is the customers responsibility to track their package.

Dubia Roaches cannot be shipped to Florida . Insects cannot be shipped to Hawaii.

Returns

We guarantee live arrival.

Our return policy is subject to our discretion and we have the right to refuse a refund at any time. We do not accept exchanges or returns.

In the rare event that your animal(s) arrives DOA (dead on arrival), we will only reimburse the cost of the animal(s) if you have contacted us within 1 hour (based on delivery timestamp) of the animals arrival. We may ask for photos so please don't dispose of anything.

If there is not someone to receive the package on arrival time, the guarantee will be null and voided immediately.

Milkback (Porcellio laevis)

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