Close-up of an orange woodlouse in a controlled environment. Close-up of an orange woodlouse in a controlled environment.

The Complete Guide to Taking Care of Giant Orange Isopods

Giant Orange isopods are pretty amazing pets. They are fun to watch and fulfill a number of roles in established ecosystems.

They are nutritious snacks for amphibians and reptiles. Being animal sources, they provide a good dose of protein to your lizard and frogs.

Additionally, they offer much-needed calcium to your pets.

Moreover, Giant Orange isopods clean the environment by consuming dead and decaying plant matter. As a result, hobbyists don’t need to get their hands dirty or even feel yucky removing litter.

In addition, Giant Oranges provide nutrients for plants in your ecosystem. They leave behind feces that serve as food for plants in different setups.

Breeding or culturing Giant Orange isopods are simple. Therefore, even novice hobbyists may try their hands on these isopods to start their journey.

In this guide, we will explore how to care for Giant Orange isopods. You will learn valuable information like the type of enclosure and diet for your isopods.

We will discuss everything in detail so that you have nothing to worry about.

Orange Woodlouse Captivity Closeup
An orange woodlouse, porcellio pruinosus, photohraphed in captivity. Source: Depositphotos

Common Size of Giant Orange Isopods

As the name suggests, Giant Oranges are among the largest isopods you will come across. They can attain a size of 0.37 to 0.63 inches ( 9 to 15 mm) when they reach adulthood.

As a result, they make for good pets as you can see them scurrying around.

Giant Orange isopods are large and appear dark yellow or orange in color. They have an oval-shaped body with a chitinous exoskeleton.

In simple words, they have a tough outer body that protects them from predators. It looks like scales that make armor to keep the isopods safe.

Giant Orange isopods belong to the arthropod family. They are similar to creatures like centipedes or crabs.

In addition, they are one of the largest creatures and grow to sizes of more than half an inch.

Giant Orange isopods don’t need a very big area to thrive. However, they reproduce quickly and may need a bigger space to live.

Estimated Lifespan of Giant Orange Isopods

Giant Orange isopods can live up to 3 to 4 years. However, some isopods may not live that long and die within 2 years.

The environment you keep your isopods in plays a big role in determining the lifespan of these animals. You need to look after various factors like moisture level and warmth of the enclosure.

In addition, the presence of food sources or a lack of them also impacts lifespan. However, they still live longer than many bugs and insects.

Caring for Giant Orange Isopods

Even beginners will be able to care for Giant Orange isopods without much trouble. They need a warm and humid environment to live in that contains organic matter.

In addition, the presence of other pests that serve as food sources is recommended. Moreover, Giant Orange isopods prefer to live where the humidity reaches 80% to 90%. They also like warm habitats that range in temperature from 70 to 85 degrees F.

Moreover, they love to stay inside the soil and can be located near wood or plants in the wild. A similar setup or established bioactive environment makes caring for Giant Orange isopods easier.

They are also simple to breed and don’t need much looking after. As a result, there are fewer chances of making mistakes and more opportunities to have a thriving colony of Giant Orange isopods.

Difficulty Level

Many hobbyists start with Giant Orange isopods because of their ease of maintenance and breeding. You don’t have to look after them much if you are able to provide for their fundamental requirements.

Additionally, you don’t need any special equipment or investment. Giant Orange isopods can be taken care of in most home environments.

Therefore, anyone can keep these isopods as pets, breed, or culture them.

Enclosure for Giant Orange Isopods

Giant Orange isopods can adapt to most environments. However, there need to be sources of food and enough warmth and moisture.

You can culture these isopods in any plastic box or even sweater boxes. They do need a lot of humidity, so a plastic container makes more sense.

Additionally, a plastic container is easier to clean if you want to change enclosures.

You will want your container to have enough ventilation. Make several small holes on the sides of the enclosure on the upper side.

Small holes make way for better airflow and don’t let unwanted moisture build-up. It is necessary for the enclosure to be well-ventilated for the isopods to stay healthy.

Otherwise, they may get dehydrated.

You don’t need an enormous container for Giant Orange isopods. They grow to a maximum of half an inch.

However, they multiply at a fast rate and may need more room to accommodate a growing colony. You may also divide the colony into two enclosures if your isopods have a shortage of room.

Substrate for Giant Orange Isopods

Giant Orange isopods are found in moist and humid areas. They prefer to live in decaying leaf matter in the woods.

You can also find them under rotten logs and branches on the ground. Sometimes, these isopods dig down and stay under the soil as they like dark places.

You can create your base layer of substrate with peat moss and coconut fiber. Remember to combine equal amounts of the two components for best results.

In addition, spray some water on the layer to make sure it is well moistened. However, don’t put so much water that the substrate is dripping wet.

Now, you can make the top layer of the substrate with decaying leaves. Giant Orange isopods generally like organic matter from oak and maple trees.

You can also mix some wood or bark from these trees with the leaf litter to make the top layer.

Suitable Temperature for Giant Orange Isopods

As noted earlier, Giant Orange isopods like to live in warm and moist habitats. Therefore, you will have to maintain a 70 to 85 degrees F temperature.

However, Giant Orange isopods live best in warm places. They also breed in places that are hot.

So, you may want to keep a temperature of 80 to 85 degrees F. This is especially required during the breeding and hatching season.

Most people will be able to achieve these temperatures at home. You may even increase the thermostat to get a higher temperature.

Suitable Humidity for Giant Orange Isopods

Giant Orange isopods thrive in humid regions. They are most comfortable when the humidity level touches 80% to 90%.

You will need to maintain this humidity level throughout the life of the isopods. It is also necessary to ensure the same when you are culturing Giant Orange isopods.

Therefore, you may need to spray a bit of water when the enclosure becomes less humid. Do ensure the habitat never turns too dry for these creatures to live.

A layer of decaying organic material on top can keep the substrate from getting dry too often.

Best Diet for Giant Orange Isopods

Giant Orange isopods are happy to eat almost anything. You may not even have to provide any food frequently in most terrarium/vivarium environments.

However, there needs to be enough decaying organic matter filled with leaves and wood. So, you can feed Giant Orange isopods rotten leaves.

They also love to chew on maple and oak parts like leaf litter and rotten wood and bark.

In addition, Giant Orange isopods find prey insects yummy. However, they are too small to catch or eat whole insects.

As a result, bits of prey food or bait can be fed to these isopods.

Moreover, Giant Orange isopods are good with bits of fruits and veggies. Therefore, you may not even have to shop around for food.

The waste from your kitchen may be enough to feed Giant Orange isopods.

In addition, you may want to give your isopods a good dose of protein in captivity. So, feed them a little fish pellets or flakes at times.

As noted above, established bioactive environments provide adequate food sources for Giant Orange isopods.

In its absence, you can arrange the above for your isopods. Additionally, you may even feed them cuts of chicken, mutton, or beef.

However, do not encourage your Giant Orange isopods to overeat. So, keep a tab on the food sources in the enclosure.

Feed the isopods when you notice the earlier round of feed getting exhausted.

Breeding Giant Orange Isopods

Male and female Giant Orange isopods mate to create eggs. You can introduce these creatures into a bioactive environment or an enclosure, as we discussed.

Additionally, create a warm and moist substrate with enough organic materials. Additionally, ensure to maintain a temperature of 80 – 85 degrees F and 80% to 90% humidity.

Most people will be able to breed Giant Orange isopods at home. However, people living in colder climates may need to make some preparations.

You can put the container with the isopods in a warm corner of your house. It could be an area like the attic or the basement.

However, you have to ensure proper humidity for the isopods to multiply. So, keep a watch on the enclosure and introduce more moisture when required.

Additionally, make sure there is enough food for the isopods in the enclosure. You may want to feed them if you see the earlier round of food finished.

In addition, keep enough supply of organic and decaying materials.

The females will lay numerous eggs after mating with males. The eggs take 3 to 4 weeks to hatch and the isopods to emerge. The female isopod will carry the eggs around under her body before they hatch.

However, you cannot see these baby isopods with your naked eyes. They grow big in a short time, and you can finally watch them being playful.

Female Giant Orange isopods develop sexually in 6 months. They even mate with each other before attaining their full sizes.

Moreover, female isopods give birth to 300 to 400 eggs during their entire lifetime.

A colony of these isopods will sustain itself without any special intervention. You just need to take care of the living conditions for these creatures to live and multiply.

However, make sure these creatures have enough space as their numbers increase. You may have to get a new plastic container and divide your colony.

Giant Orange Isopods FAQ

  1. How big do Giant Orange isopods grow?

Giant Orange isopods can attain a size of half an inch when mature. They are among the largest isopods around.

  1. What do Giant Orange isopods consume?

Giant Orange isopods eat dead and decaying leaves and plant matter. They even survive on parts of insects, fish flakes, vegetables, fruits, and bits of meat.

  1. How do you breed Giant Orange isopods?

You can breed Giant Orange isopods in a plastic container and create a well-moistened substrate. You have to maintain a temperature of 80 – 85 degrees C and humidity between 80% and 90%.

Conclusion

Giant Orange isopods are pretty creatures to keep as pets. They also contribute toward a bioactive environment through different means.

It is easy to culture and breed Giant Orange isopods. You just need a plastic enclosure with enough organic materials.

Additionally, ensure the enclosure is warm and moist. Moreover, feed your isopods leaf litter and insects, and meat parts.

They also prefer bits of veggies and fruits. You can also breed Giant Orange isopods by ensuring the right living conditions.

Last Updated on December 13, 2023 by suchi

Author

Soubhik
  1. I found this guide on caring for Giant Orange Isopods incredibly informative and engaging. It’s great to learn about the various roles these isopods play in ecosystems, from providing protein for amphibians and reptiles to contributing calcium and cleaning the environment. The guide’s detailed exploration of breeding and care makes it accessible even for novice hobbyists, offering a comprehensive resource for those starting their journey with these fascinating creatures.

  2. Soubhik is a tech enthusiast, an entrepreneur, and a lawyer. He has created B2B content that connects with readers while working for a number of tech companies throughout the years.

  3. Exploring the care of Giant Orange Isopods through this guide was a quick and fascinating journey. The article highlighted their roles as nutritious snacks for reptiles, contributors to ecosystem cleanliness, and plant nutrient providers.

    The practical aspects of caring for these isopods, from enclosure types to their diet, were efficiently covered. Learning about their size, appearance, and estimated lifespan added depth to the guide. In just a few minutes, I gained valuable insights into the world of Giant Orange Isopods and how to ensure their well-being.

  4. Navigating the care of Giant Orange Isopods in this guide was a swift and intriguing experience. The article illuminated their functions as nutritious treats for reptiles, contributors to ecosystem cleanliness, and suppliers of nutrients for plants.

    Practical aspects of caring for these isopods, including enclosure types and dietary considerations, were effectively addressed. Understanding their size, appearance, and estimated lifespan provided comprehensive insights into the world of Giant Orange Isopods. In a short read, valuable knowledge on ensuring their well-being was acquired.

  5. This guide is an excellent resource for anyone interested in keeping Giant Orange isopods as pets. The detailed information on their size, lifespan, and care requirements is valuable for beginners. I appreciate the emphasis on creating a suitable environment, including enclosure setup, substrate, temperature, and humidity. The section on breeding is particularly insightful, providing practical tips for successful reproduction. The inclusion of a FAQ section addresses common queries, enhancing the overall completeness of the guide. It’s a well-structured and informative piece for those looking to venture into keeping these fascinating creatures.

  6. This guide is incredibly helpful! I recently adopted a giant orange isopod, and the information here has been a lifesaver. Thanks for covering everything from habitat setup to dietary needs. My isopod seems happy and healthy.

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