Armadillidium vulgare "magic potion"
(Latreille, 1804)
Branch: Arthropoda
Sub-branch: Crustacea
Class: Malacostraca
Order: Isopoda
Under order: Oniscidea
Family: Armadillidae
Gender: Armadillidium
Species: Armadillidium vulgare
Translucent with black and yellow spots. This species measures 15 to 20 mm.
Cosmopolitan
Very easy to breed species
Rapid development
Very prolific species
Species active and visible during the day.
What you need:
Armadillidium vulgare "magic potion" are quite slow , to protect themselves from attackers they have no choice but to curl up into a ball : this is volvation. Many animals such as snakes, hedgehogs and millipedes use this technique.
The reproduction of Armadillidium vulgare "magic potion" is very simple.
Mating lasts a few seconds. Once mated, the female will keep the male's sperm and will be able to mate with other males. (Reproduction by polygynandry) This sperm can then be used in the following broods. be used in the following broods be used in the following broods It is therefore difficult to identify the breeding male.
The incubation of the eggs takes place directly in the abdomen of the female in a pouch called a marsupial pouch or marsupium and lasts about 2 to 3 months. The young (called mancas) are born and remain in the marsupium for three to four days, then emerge. At birth they are white and measure about 1mm.
Temperature
Possible breeding between 18 and 24°C.
Hygrometry
50-75% . As with most isopods, it is advisable to separate the terrarium into 2 zones, a humid zone and a dry zone.
If the terrarium is very airy and the substrate dries out too quickly, you can spray a little water.
Terrarium
Many possibilities to raise them. We can use braplast boxes or other plastic boxes with ventilation but also aquariums or terrariums. The size will depend on the number of individuals and will therefore have to be adapted to the growth of the colony. For example, in a 5L box we can keep about 20 individuals. Then in a 10L about 30/40 individuals.
It is possible to create bioactive environments by raising Armadillidium vulgare "magic potion" with other animals.
Substrate
The substrate is a mixture of decomposed oak, beech or chestnut leaves and decomposed wood. This is the litter layer of deciduous forests. The whole will be crushed as finely as possible and then placed at the bottom of the terrarium. An area with whole or coarsely crushed leaves can also be placed.
Decorations and additional elements
Bark will be placed on the substrate to create hiding places. The isopods will gather at this level. We can also add some stones, moss and even natural plants .
Food
They are detritivores and they feed on decomposing organic matter. The basic food will therefore be the substrate . Then we can add pieces of vegetables and fruit . Preferably vegetables and fruits that keep over time and do not go moldy too quickly: zucchini, cucumber, squash, apple, banana, ... It will therefore be necessary to adapt the quantity of food according to the size of your colony.
Supplements
A protein source : dehydrated shrimp are very popular, as is our special isopod mix.
A calcium intake : Cuttlefish bone or calcium powder.
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P Magali
Feb 12, 2025 |
Adorables !
Jolis petits arrivés rapidement et tous vivants, c'est le début d'un bel élevage :)
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