Armadillidium scaberrimum "Sandstone"

Armadillidium scaberrimum "Sandstone" isopods for sale!

Native to the Balkans, A. scaberriumum is a large, robust species that reaches up to 1.9 cm at adulthood.  They are similar to Armadillidium peraccae displaying their super bumpy/spiny texture that is visible to the human eye without magnification on top of their silvery to gray bodies.  They were formerly classified as Armadillidium omblae but have since been corrected.  They like a hefty calcium source and a moisture gradient leaning to the more semi-arid side as they do have difficulties molting in humid conditions.  They have been noted to munch of plants, so use caution with this species if you want to add them to a planted viv.  They are easy to care for but their breeding habits are a bit strange as they do have large broods and breed well, but they can be inconsistent or infrequent.

Origin: Balkans

Humidity: Semi-arid

Ventilation: Moderate (See our ventilation guide in the isopod care sheet under the "Care Sheets" tab.

Housing and Care:  A 6 quart shoe box or similar is sufficient to start a 10 count culture in and get established, and then will need to be moved to a larger enclosure once their population outgrows it. Provide a moisture gradient of about 40-50% moist and 50-60% dry. Use sphagnum moss on one end of the enclosure to help retain moisture between spraying (frequency of spraying will depend on amount of ventilation you provide and atmospheric conditions, just as long as the moss is always kept moist. Aim to spray down the sizes and make sure the water is reaching the bottom layer to make it last longer), a couple inches of substrate is sufficient, add a good amount of leaf litter, a hide such as cork bark or edible hardwood bark or both, a calcium source such as a cuttlefish bone, eggshell or calcium powder is a healthy addition for all isopod species. Rotting wood is also highly encouraged as well. You can supplementally feed them once a week with a small piece of sweet potato, carrot or squash and a protein source such as our own Bug Buffet Haus Blend, fish flakes, freeze dried shrimp/minnows or other commercialized isopod diet (small enough amount that they can consume it within 2 days to help minimize mites and mold.