Oniscus asellus "Madeira"

Note: This species is currently undergoing active breeding in our facility. It will be made available once we have a healthy and sustainable number of offspring.

Oniscus asellus

is a medium to large woodlouse native to Europe and naturally established in Madeira. It features a dark brown flattened body reaching up to 16 mm long. It prefers damp environments under decaying bark and leaf litter and is known for being hardy and adaptable.

These woodlice are harmless, surface-active, and work well in bioactive or display setups. They tolerate moderate climates and can reproduce steadily with proper care.

Environment: Provide a ventilated container with at least 5 to 10 cm of mixed substrate including organic soil or coco coir, leaf litter, decaying wood, and some sphagnum or forest moss. Include bark pieces and hides for shelter. Substrate depth supports moderate burrowing Exuvium Isopods+15Exuvium Isopods+15isopodfactory.com+15The World of Isopods

Humidity: Keep humidity moderate to high: about 60 to 75 percent. Maintain a moisture gradient by keeping half the enclosure damp with moss and the other side slightly drier

Diet: Primarily detritivores; feed decaying leaf litter and rotting wood. Supplement twice weekly with vegetables (e.g. carrot, sweet potato), fruit, forest moss, fish flakes, and include protein once or twice per week. Always provide a calcium source like cuttlebone or crushed eggshell

Behavior: Mostly nocturnal and surface-active, though they may burrow slightly into substrate. They are social and favor communal living. Hiding under bark or leaves during the day is common

Temperature: Ideal temperature between 15 and 25 °C (60–77 °F); they prefer cooler conditions and may avoid higher temperatures

Shipped as a mix of healthy juveniles and subadults
Weather appropriate packaging with insulation or cooling if needed
Shipping only when temperatures allow safe delivery