Armadillidium vulgare is that classic little pillbug everyone recognizes — the one that actually lives up to the name “roly-poly.” Unlike flatter species like Dairy Cows or Powder Oranges, these guys are naturally rounded, almost bubbly-looking, and when they feel unsure (or honestly sometimes for no reason at all), they roll up into a tight little ball to protect their soft undersides.
They’re a really charming species to keep around. You’ll see them out and about picking through leaf litter or wandering around the surface, but if you dig just a bit into the topsoil, you’ll definitely find more hiding out underneath. They have that nice balance of being visible without being overly bold.
In terms of movement, they’re on the slower side for isopods — not the slowest out there, but nowhere near the sprinting speed of something like Porcellio laevis. They move at a calm, steady pace that makes them easy to observe. You’ll catch them rolled up plenty, too. Sometimes it’s for defense, sometimes it’s just… because. They really don’t need a reason.
They absolutely need a temperate environment. They don’t do well in arid setups at all, and I’ve personally never seen them thrive in those conditions. They can go a little above temperate toward lightly tropical, but I wouldn’t call them tropical isopods either. Your sweet spot is that comfortable, moderate humidity range.
They do benefit from deeper substrate — at least 4 inches. A lot of the babies start life by burrowing down a couple inches, and the adults appreciate having the option. Deep substrate gives them a lot more stability, especially when the colony is small.
These are definitely more of a cleanup crew first, display species second. They’re pretty, with that grayish-blue and little patterning you sometimes see, but they’re not as visually striking as high-end morphs. Where they earn their keep is in how prolific they are and how much detritus they process.
Give them leaf litter, a bit of rotting wood, and their humidity zone, and they’ll absolutely tear through organic waste in a way that keeps your enclosure much healthier.
They can be used as feeders occasionally, but because their shells are a bit thicker, I wouldn’t use them heavily for that. Some reptiles may have trouble with compaction if fed too many.
If someone is brand new to isopods or bioactive keeping, I’d actually put Armadillidium vulgare near the top of my recommendations. They’re tough, forgiving, and very hard to mess up. If you’re keeping something like a green anole, a crested gecko, or any other temperate animal, these guys slot right into that ecosystem without fuss.
Just don’t pair them with something that needs a desert habitat — they won’t make it there.
They take around 60–90 days to fully establish, which is pretty average. If you want them to breed faster, bump the temperature slightly to around 72–75°F and keep humidity consistent around 60%. Nothing extreme — just comfortable conditions.
Live Armadillidium vulgare Isopods (hand-counted)
Vented deli cup with fresh moss
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