Description
Porcellio dilatatus is a larger species that originates from Europe. The “giant canyon” isopods are wider and rounder than their cousins, and are gray to brown in color. In contrast to other Porcellio species, P. dilatatus is slow to reproduce.
Isopods should be housed in a secure terrarium or plastic tub. This species prefers more ventilation holes for higher airflow, although care should be taken that ventilation holes are not too large to allow escape. We recommend 15-quart plastic storage bins for most starter cultures. Use a a moderately deep substrate, such as a mix of flake soil, leaf litter, and unfertilized top soil. Keep the temperature between 68-77°F (20-25°C), and only mist weekly; they do not require high humidity. Isopods thrive with a variety of hiding places, such as sanitized bark, decaying wood, or cork bark. We recommend keeping slightly damp sphagnum moss on one side of your enclosure to provide some moisture at all times, the rest of the enclosure should remain completely dry.
Isopods are detritivores, meaning they will eat any and all organic matter that is offered to them. Decaying leaf litter is a staple for any isopod diet while also providing hiding places and protection. They do best with a varied diet including blanched vegetables, freeze dried insects, and decaying wood, along with a calcium source such as cuttlebone.
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