Giant Canyon Isopod

Porcellio dilatatus

IsopodbeginnerHarmlessCommunal OK

Harmless to people

Isopods are harmless to humans — no venom, no sting, and no bite that breaks skin. They are detritivores, so wash your hands after handling the substrate.

About

A big, hardy Porcellio — "Giant Canyon" is a trade name for the species itself, not a locale or morph, and the animal is European, not from American canyons. It tolerates drier conditions than most isopods, which makes it a good clean-up crew for drier enclosures. Give a deep substrate it can dig into, keep about a third of it moist, and ventilate well. It has a large appetite: protein about twice a week and calcium always available. Breeding is steady rather than explosive. Like other Porcellio it is a clinger rather than a roller. Sellers rate it anywhere from easy to intermediate; the main demands are space and food. DETRITIVORE, harmless.

Taxonomy

FamilyPorcellionidae

GenusPorcellio

Native regionWestern Europe and the Mediterranean; introduced elsewhere, including North America

TypeTerrestrial

Temperamentharmless, mostly nocturnal

Size & growth

Adult size0.6-0.8 inches

Body length0.59–0.79 in

Growth ratemedium

Life stagesNo distinct stages

Climate

Temperature65–82°F

Humidity40–70%

Enclosure

Adult sizeshoebox tub or larger, ventilated

Substratedeep topsoil and coco fiber, about a third kept moist; leaf litter and cork bark

Substrate depth2-4 inches

Water dishOptional

Moisture gradientRequired — keep one end damp, one end dry

Bioactive clean-up crewYes

Feeding

Feeding modeDetritivore (decaying matter)

Food & scheduleleaf litter always available; protein about twice a week

Supplemental calciumRequired — cuttlebone or a calcium powder

Times kept: 0 · Unverified community entry