Scientific name
Armadillidium maculatum
Other names: Armadillidium maculatum « Zebra »
The contrasting bands of some lineages have made this woodlouse familiar in captive breeding. Richard’s Inverts distinguishes these patterns from naturally spotted forms: ‘Zebra’ is a presentation name, not a second species. [1]
Origin
Southern France and the Mediterranean region according to Richard’s Inverts; keep this general indication separate from a strain’s documented provenance. [1]
- Conglobation
- Zebra patterns
- Display colony
Accepted name checked in GBIF/Catalogue of Life through a search; care from two breeders, without certified parameters.
At a glance
The zebra isopod is a species with variable patterns. ‘Zebra’ and other selections do not constitute additional species [1].
| DOCUMENTED SIZE | Up to 18 mm Richard’s Inverts; 14–16 mm at Bog Beafts [1][2]. |
|---|---|
| LIFESPAN | To be documented No supported individual lifespan in the selected sources. |
| LIFESTYLE | Terrestrial Variable visibility in the breeder’s colonies [1]. |
Adult size
Up to 18 mm according to Richard’s Inverts; Bog Beafts gives 14–16 mm for its ‘zebra’ lineage. [1][2]
Lifespan
No robust individual lifespan adopted; do not confuse a colony’s age with an animal’s lifespan.
Lifestyle
Terrestrial and mobile; Richard’s Inverts observes increasing visibility in colonies that have become numerous. A small population may remain discreet. [1]
Housing
SETUP AND SHELTERS
Food-providing substrate — Bog Beafts describes 4–5 cm of substrate in its culture; a commercial example, not a validated minimum [2].
Food-providing substrate and shelters spanning a moisture gradient. Bog Beafts presents a depth of 4–5 cm for its own culture; this is a report of practice. [2]
Care parameters
BREEDER REFERENCE
18–25 °C — Richard’s Inverts practice, not physiological limits [1].
Humidity
Two areas — Humid shelter and less humid part; proportions vary between breeders [1][2].
Temperature
18–25 °C at Richard’s Inverts [1] Breeding reference, not a universal physiological threshold.
Soil moisture
Two contrasting areas, without complete drying [1] The wetted proportion of an enclosure does not describe relative air humidity.
Feeding
DIET AND CALCIUM
Decaying plant matter as a base, with vegetables and a calcium source in Bog Beafts’ culture [2].
Scope of this profile
Accepted name checked in GBIF/Catalogue of Life through a search; care from two breeders, without certified parameters.
Species and coloured lineages
Richard’s Inverts cites the ‘Chocolate’, ‘Champagne’, ‘Yellow’ and ‘Paradox’ selections among others. [1] In the log, keep the species name as the main identity and the trade name in a separate note. A pattern difference between adults is not enough to announce hybridisation, a new species or a disease; photos must be compared at comparable life stages and lighting.
Preparing an environment that remains accessible
The substrate serves several functions: food, shelter and a water reserve. [1] To organise checks, retain easy access to the humid area and an outside view of substrate depth. Recording materials and their introduction dates will make a possible problem easier to examine. A breeder’s published depth alone does not define the enclosure’s maximum capacity. [2]
Diet and calcium
Bog Beafts combines a calcium supplement and vegetables with a base of decaying plant matter in its culture. [2] Preparing small, observable portions distinguishes appetite from simple food movement. In a manual log, record food type and the presence of leftovers before the next addition; the goal is to document practice without proposing an unstudied measured ration here.
A gradient rather than an isolated number
Richard’s Inverts keeps one half humid and one half less humid. [1] Bog Beafts describes a different proportion for its setup. [2] These differences show the importance of the container and its ventilation. Recording the watered location, approximate amount and changes in the shelter is more informative than copying a percentage without knowing whether it concerns soil or air.
Young and colony growth
Richard’s Inverts describes a prolific species, but this assessment gives neither an expected population nor a guaranteed schedule. [1] Before births, plan how to keep additional groups and their identity. Observing young on several successive dates rather than once provides more information about continued reproduction; lack of visibility does not justify concluding that it has stopped.
Limits of use and monitoring
Richard’s Inverts does not present the species as a universal clean-up helper. [1] A standalone colony allows conditions to be assessed before any other project. Record deaths, leftovers, substrate changes and pattern photos. Do not use greater visibility as the sole indicator of welfare; check time, disturbance and population size also change what is seen.
French references: Armadillidium maculatum « Zebra »
Reference found in the following French catalogues: Isopodshop [3]; Insectorus [5]. Catalogue presence, including out-of-stock listings, does not measure sales.
Isopodshop suggests 18-25 °C for husbandry. This is a commercial reference, not a demonstrated safe range. [3]
Insectorus states 22-26°C. This commercial range does not demonstrate safety thresholds. [5]
These sellers’ figures remain separately attributed: combining them does not create a newly validated husbandry range.
Checklist
- Keep species and lineage in two separate fields.
- Plan a check of the deeper substrate.
- Document the enclosure before introduction.
Observations to record
- Manual lineage notes
- Localised watering
- Young observed
- Food leftovers
The app provides individual animal records. Check which features are available for your animal in the released version.
Sources
Document-based overview; not a substitute for veterinary advice.
- Richard’s Inverts — Care Sheet, Zebra Isopods
Source accessed - Bog Beafts — Care guides, Armadillidium maculatum « zebra »
Source accessed - Armadillidium maculatum « Zebra » — Isopodshop
Source accessed - World Marine, Freshwater and Terrestrial Isopod Crustaceans database — Armadillidium maculatum
Source accessed - Armadillidium maculatum Zebra — Insectorus
Source accessed