Porcellio Laevis "Dairy Cow" Isopods

Porcellio Laevis "Dairy Cow" Isopods are the perfect isopods for beginners entering the hobby. In particular, this species of isopod is quite large, with adults measuring around 20 millimetres long and featuring a smooth dorsal surface.

Additionally, the males can be identified by their long, spear-shaped uropods. The smooth dorsal surface of Porcellio Laevis further sets it apart visually from many other species in the same genus, as other isopods in this genus typically display a rougher texture.

Moreover, Porcellio Laevis "Dairy Cow" have extremely easy care requirements and can be easily established in a terrarium within just a few weeks, with no issues.

Finally, Porcellio Laevis plays an important role in the wild as well as in captivity by contributing to nutrient cycling. It does this by breaking down dead plant material and animal waste, thereby releasing essential nutrients back into the ecosystem or microhabitat.

The species is known to be an opportunistic feeder, consuming a wide range of organic matter such as leaves, moss, lichens, rotting wood, and animal waste. As a result, P. laevis can thrive in many different ecological niches. For instance, it can be kept with other animals in a terrarium or vivarium as a clean-up crew, helping to prevent the build-up of animal waste while converting these waste products into beneficial nutrients for the substrate. In the wild, P. laevis is also an important food source for many animals, including birds, reptiles, and small mammals.

Care Instructions for Porcellio Laevis "Dairy Cow" (Please note, the below information is from our experience successfully keeping and breeding this species.) 

• Temperature Range: 18–28°C
• Ideal Humidity Levels: 50–85%
• Ventilation Needs: Medium 

Enclosure Set Up for Porcellio Laevis Dairy Cow (Again, please note, the below information is from our experience successfully keeping and breeding this species.)

We have found that these isopods, can thrive in a range of different conditions. Following this, as they breed so prolifically we would advise to start them off in a shoebox sized enclosure, they will take over this amount of space in no time at all. 

We Include features such as:

• Branches (Oak and Beech)
• Cork Bark – stacked horizontally and a few vertical pieces.
• Lotus Pods

As with all of our isopod enclosures we use:

• Isopod Substrate
• Leaf Litter
• Sphagnum Moss
• White Rotten Wood

For ventilation, we have cross ventilation in the form of a 50mm mesh vent on each end of the enclosure and a few small (1mm) holes covered with fine mesh in the lid.

Diet

As with other isopods the main part of Porcellio Laevis' diet should consist of Leaf Litter and some White Rotten Wood. We always ensure our isopods have access to a good calcium source from one or more of the below sources:

• Egg Shells
• Cuttlefish
• Limestone Flour
• Crushed Oyster Shell

As a source of protein, we rotate the below:

• Dried Shrimp
• Dried Minnows
• Fish Flakes
• Spirulina
• Blood Worm Powder

We also feed small amounts of supplemental vegetable scraps to ensure complete nutrition although, we have found favourites for Porcellio Laevis Dairy Cow to be:

Courgette, Baby Corn and Sweet Potatoes.

Please note: All isopods are captive bred by us here at The Bug Room. We will always send a mix of sizes to maximise the success of your colony.

Shipping Details

We use Royal Mail 24hr for all orders, ensuring fast and reliable delivery. Additionally, we guarantee live delivery on all live goods. To ensure the safe transit of live animals, we monitor weather conditions and only ship when it's safe. During the cooler months, we use heat packs to keep your live animals warm, helping them arrive happy and healthy.

Get In Touch!

If you would like any information prior to placing an order, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are always happy to answer questions or give some advice from our own experience.