Milkback Isopods (Porcellio laevis)

Milkback Isopods (Porcellio laevis) are a beautifully marked natural morph known for their signature “milk drop” pattern — a soft, cloudy white blotch sitting on a striking blue shell. Among laevis forms, this is the only one with that milky center spot, giving each individual a calm, watercolor-like appearance that hobbyists instantly recognize.

Visually, they resemble Dairy Cows in size and shape, but their coloration is completely unique. When you see them in person, it genuinely looks like a droplet of milk settled on their back — subtle, bold, and unlike any other Porcellio laevis morph.

Behavior & Activity

Milkbacks are moderately surface-active, and once the colony is established, they’re lively, confident, and fast to respond to food. You’ll see them cluster under cork, bark, or leaf piles, but they also roam freely — especially during feeding. They aren’t shy, and they handle being observed or interacted with extremely well. Many keepers enjoy them as “pet isopods” because they’re visible, interactive, and not easily startled.

Care & Environment

This species is adaptable but not as tolerant of arid conditions as some other isopods. They thrive best in temperate setups with moderate humidity but can also do well in tropical enclosures. Short periods of dryness won’t harm them, but they are not suited for true desert environments.

To truly thrive, Milkbacks require:

• Leaf litter as their primary diet

• Higher-than-average protein compared to many species

• Multiple hides (cork, bark, wood, etc.)

• A moderately humid zone with drier areas available

• A stable, temperate enclosure

Bioactive Use vs. Pet Keeping

Milkbacks excel in both roles:

As a bioactive cleanup crew:

They breakdown waste, cycle nutrients, and maintain soil health in large, temperate reptile and amphibian enclosures. Their size helps them avoid constant predation, and established colonies tend to hold steady.

As a display/pet colony:

Hananiah’s recommendation — and experience — is that Milkbacks shine as a pet isopod species. They are large, visible, active, bold, and fun to interact with. Many keepers enjoy watching them explore or even crawl onto their hands.

Reproduction

Among Porcellio species, Milkbacks are on the faster-breeding side. Their size often makes the colony feel like it’s expanding even quicker. Compared to Armadillidium species, they reproduce noticeably faster.

Enclosure Size

Because they are a large, productive species, they thrive best in:

• 2.5-gallon minimum starter colony

• 5–10 gallon long-term setups

• Sterilite tubs also work extremely well for large, expanding colonies

What Makes a Milkback Colony Happy

A thriving milkback colony needs:

• Deep, plentiful leaf litter

• A protein-heavy supplement (fish flakes, krill, etc.)

• Multiple shaded hides

• Gentle, indirect light (not bright exposure)

• A temperate, moderately humid environment

Give them these, and they’ll reward you with fast growth and constant activity.

What’s Included:

• Live Milkback Isopods (hand-counted)

• Vented deli cup with fresh moss

• Live Arrival Guarantee (weather permitting; conditions apply)