Isopods as pets?

Not that I recommend this for others or for reptile enclosures, but since my isopods are just for fun and I was already okay with mixing wild and CBB isopods…I straight up used outside dirt :rofl: Clay soil, sandy soil, gravel → mix! Then I added some fallen branches and maple/magnolia/oak leaves.
I picked cheap, hardy isopods that I’m okay with naturalizing and maintaining themselves, so they could probably survive a bomb. But if you spend money for duckies or something, I wouldn’t risk the parasite potential. I did accidentally get some springtails from my outside dirt so that’s a plus though!

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This picture shows what i do for ventilation pretty well. I just drill some holes along the side. Depending on the species you might want to do more or less but with panda kings what you have is probably fine, especially if you’re opening it every so often to mist them.

Edit: this is my panda king tub. Also if anyone more knowledgeable on isopods wants to correct me on anything go for it lol. I’m still learning

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Hmmmmm. I live in a subdivision and there are some new houses going up across the road so……. Thank you so very much for the tip/idea! I got my springtails today!!! I am only investing in the hardy isopods and spring tails for now. No duckies for me yet! Lol! :heart::blush:

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When I add ventilation to an enclosure I’m making, I put it mostly at one end, opposite the hydration station. That way the isopods will be able to pick their own microclimates. Cross-ventilation is supposed to be best according to some folks. That said, there are a zillion different ways to successfully keep isopods, so just because one person does things one way doesn’t mean other ways are wrong.

I do highly recommend using chiffon over any ventilation if you are concerned about possible mancae escapes or fungus gnats getting in (though I’ve found this to be pretty unavoidable). I tried window screen but the gaps were too wide.

I also vary the amount of ventilation according to the species I’m keeping in the enclosure, if that species is super sensitive. Let me see if I can find some pics on my phone that show various ventilation schemes I’ve used… :mag: Hmm, I only have pics from my older enclosures. I’ll try and remember to take some pics of my newer ones, but in the meantime, here are some earlier ones:

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Ok, here’s one of my more recently made enclosures:

inside lid, outside lid, upper dry-side corners

edit: I keep meaning to post about my adventures experimenting with isopod enclosures and species, but I’m waaaayy behind on my terrarium hardscaping plans for some species I plan to get.

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SAME, I’ve used open holes, screen mesh, and fine mesh and I swear the gnats just spawn in once pillbugs are detected, I genuinely have no idea how they keep getting in and making more!

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Oh wow, those are all gorgeous! :star_struck: I especially love the Ember Bees, as well as the Thai Spikeys.

I gotta jump on the isopod bandwagon one of these days.

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Beware! They’re like potato chips or french fries- almost impossible to only have one!

Hungry Potato Chips GIF

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So…kinda like snakes and spiders (of which I already have several, with plans to get more)?

… I’m gonna need a bigger house. :joy:

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Same, dude, same! I’m at 21 leopard geckos and counting. :blush:

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