Many people now want to take care of exotic animals, including the species of Armadillidium Maculatum. Armadillidium Maculatum is the scientific name of Zebra isopods, it is named after its black and white patterns. Breeding or making it as a pet needs to have a deep understanding of its life cycle. In this way, you will have a successful breeding journey.
Adding this species into your terrarium pet doesn’t require too much amount of commitment like reptiles or frogs. You can consider this isopod to add to your pet home. The small terrestrial invertebrates are a great addition to your tank setup and they only require minimal care. Minimal care of this invertebrate doesn’t mean you can just put it in the terrarium and leave it for the rest of the month without visiting.
Since you consider this isopod a part of your pet, you also have to know the care tips on how to make it stay alive and healthy. It is important to know what the isopods’ diet and the common problems they might be facing.
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Its impressive characteristics
The zebra isopod has these impressive characteristics that make them a great terrarium pet. Isopods have different uses, such as:
- Cleaning
- Aerating soil
- Feeders
The non-aggressive temperament of this invertebrate makes them harmless. The zebra isopod has a bold appearance, making it look dangerous, but it is not venomous. So, it is a great addition to keep as a display in anyone’s terrarium. The lifespan of this invertebrate lasts for 1 to 3 years. If you wish to breed this species, it would be an egg layer type.
Feeding
The diet of a zebra isopod is detritivore. A detritivore’s diet is decaying or dead organic matter called detritus. The isopod consumes detritus from plant or organic sources. Therefore, this kind of terrarium pet is considered the highest level of the food chain because they get nutrients from dead apex predators.
The isopod can also consume other foods, such as:
- fungi
- small decaying insects
- dead animals
The decomposed materials keep them healthy and active because they can provide them with the following:
- nutrients
- minerals
- proteins
Feeding a zebra isopod doesn’t take too much effort and time. Isopods are eating organic materials that make a big contribution to the ecosystem. Aside from the decayed organic material, these isopods also consume healthy diets, such as:
- Vegetables:
- cucumber
- carrots
- mushrooms
- Fruits:
- apples
- bananas
- melons
- Shrimp pellets
- Leaf litter from trees and other plants
Feed the pet small amounts of the food once every two days. It is recommended to stick to the right amounts of food because overeating can cause:
- overpopulation
- sickness
It is important to remove the food promptly when not eaten and try something else. If you are more than a hobbyist, you can check some helpful isopod food guides. There are the best foods and learn favourite recipes for these isopods.
Understanding the habitat
The zebra isopod is usually found among moist leaf litter in different areas, such as:
- forests
- wetlands
- grasslands
You can set up a mini forest or grassland if you are considering this invertebrate as a part of your terrarium pet. Replicate the natural habitat perfectly and provide the ideal organic content and moisture for your isopod.
How to care?
A zebra isopod must be kept in a tank with at least 10 gallons of loose terrarium soil and a temperature of 18 to 25°C. Adding fruits and vegetables to their diet and supplementing with calcium powder can keep them healthy. Environmental factors are optimum and both males and females must be present to breed successfully.
The popular species of isopod keep hobbyists continually having them in their collection because of the attractive striped pattern.
