Common Pill Bug

Armadillidium vulgare

OtherbeginnerHarmlessCommunal OK

No venom, no sting

This species is considered harmless to humans, with no medically significant venom or sting. Handle gently and wash your hands afterward.

About

The pill bug most people already know from under a garden paving slab, and a forgiving first colony. Rolls into a tight ball when disturbed, which makes it slower and considerably easier to count than the Porcellio species. Wants a drier, better-ventilated setup than dwarf whites, with a reliably damp end. Calcium matters more here than for most — limestone chips or cuttlebone should be permanently available or the exoskeleton suffers. Many colour morphs exist in the trade under this species. DETRITIVORE, harmless.

Taxonomy

FamilyArmadillidiidae

GenusArmadillidium

Native regionEurope; introduced worldwide

TypeTerrestrial

Temperamentharmless, slow

Size & growth

Adult size0.5-0.7 inches

Growth ratemedium

Climate

Temperature65–78 °F

Humidity50–65%

Enclosure

Adult sizeshoebox tub or larger

Substratetopsoil and coco fiber with a moisture gradient; limestone or cuttlebone

Substrate depth2-3 inches

Water dishOptional

Feeding

Feeding modeDetritivore (decaying matter)

Prey sizen/a (detritivore)

Adult cadenceleaf litter always available; protein every 1-2 weeks

Times kept: 0 · Unverified community entry