Isopods.co.uk was created by two passionate hobbyists who share a deep appreciation for the fascinating world of isopods. What started as a personal interest quickly grew into a dedicated project to provide healthy, high-quality isopods and trusted supplies to the growing UK isopod community.

We specialise in captive-bred isopods, carefully maintained and selected to ensure strong, thriving colonies. From beginner-friendly species to rare collector favourites, our goal is to make the hobby accessible, exciting, and rewarding for keepers of all experience levels.

Alongside our isopods, we also offer a range of isopod supplies, substrates, and care essentials to help you build successful bioactive setups and thriving colonies.

At the heart of everything we do is a genuine love for the hobby, a focus on animal welfare, and a commitment to supporting fellow keepers across the UK

Isopods are small terrestrial crustaceans often known as woodlice, pill bugs, or roly-polies. In the wild they live in forests and damp environments where they feed on decaying plant material such as leaf litter and rotting wood.

In the hobby, isopods are popular for two main reasons. First, they act as a natural cleanup crew in bioactive terrariums, breaking down waste and organic matter to keep enclosures healthier. Second, many species are kept as pets thanks to their fascinating behaviour, colours, and patterns.

There are hundreds of species in the hobby, ranging from beginner-friendly varieties like Zebra Isopods and Panda Kings to rare collector species such as Rubber Duckies and Ardentiella.

Isopods are easy to keep, rewarding to breed, and a fascinating addition to any terrarium or invertebrate collection.

Isopods are one of the most important components of a bioactive terrarium ecosystem. They act as a natural cleanup crew by breaking down organic waste such as animal droppings, shed skin, leftover food, and decaying plant material.

As they consume this waste, they recycle nutrients back into the soil, improving substrate health and helping plants grow. This creates a more stable and natural ecosystem inside the enclosure.

Because of these benefits, isopods are widely used in:

• reptile enclosures

• amphibian vivariums

• dart frog tanks

• tarantula setups

• planted terrariums

When combined with springtails, isopods help maintain a self-cleaning environment, reducing maintenance while improving the overall health of the enclosure.

If you're new to keeping isopods, some species are easier to care for and breed than others. Beginner species are typically hardy, adaptable, and establish colonies quickly.

Popular beginner isopods include:

• Armadillidium maculatum (Zebra Isopods)

• Porcellio laevis

• Armadillidium vulgare

• Cubaris Panda King

These species tolerate a wider range of conditions and are perfect for both bioactive setups and starter colonies.

Once established, isopods reproduce readily and can grow into thriving colonies with minimal care. This makes them a fantastic introduction to the hobby while also providing an effective cleanup crew for terrariums.

As you gain experience, you can then explore more specialised and rare species.

Beyond beginner species, the isopod hobby also includes a wide range of rare and collector species prized for their unique colours, patterns, and behaviours.

Some of the most sought-after species include:

• Rubber Ducky Isopods (Cubaris sp.)

• Cubaris species

• Ardentiella species

• rare Armadillidium morphs

These isopods often have slower breeding cycles and more specific environmental requirements, which makes them particularly exciting for experienced keepers and collectors.

Many hobbyists enjoy building collections of different species and observing their unique behaviours and breeding patterns.

Rare isopods can also become valuable breeding projects, with established colonies producing offspring that can be shared or traded within the community.

Creating a healthy isopod colony starts with the right setup. Most species thrive in a habitat that provides both moist and dry areas, allowing them to regulate humidity naturally.

A typical isopod setup includes:

• nutrient-rich substrate

• cork bark or rot wood for hiding

• leaf litter for food and shelter

• calcium sources such as cuttlefish bone

• proper ventilation

These elements help replicate the natural environments where isopods thrive.

Providing a balanced habitat encourages natural behaviours such as foraging, breeding, and burrowing while supporting healthy colony growth.

We offer a range of isopod supplies and setup materials designed specifically for keeping and breeding isopods successfully.

All of the isopods available from us are captive bred.

Captive bred colonies are healthier, more stable, and better adapted to life in terrariums and breeding setups. Because they are raised in controlled environments, they are less stressed and more likely to establish quickly in new enclosures.

Wild caught isopods can sometimes struggle to adjust to captivity and may carry parasites or experience stress during transport.

By focusing on captive breeding, we help ensure that customers receive strong, established colonies that are ready to thrive and reproduce.

Captive breeding also supports the long-term sustainability of the hobby by reducing pressure on wild populations.

We take great care when packing and shipping live isopods to ensure they arrive safely and in excellent condition.

All orders are packed using insulated materials and appropriate moisture levels to keep colonies stable during transit. During colder weather we may include heat packs and adjust packaging to protect the animals from temperature changes.

Orders are typically shipped using tracked UK delivery services, and we only dispatch early in the week to reduce the risk of delays over weekends.

We offer a Live Arrival Guarantee (When shipping RMSD), meaning if there is a problem with your order on arrival, simply contact us with clear photos within 2 hours of delivery and we will work with you to resolve the issue.

While shipping live animals always carries some risk, our packing methods and experience help ensure the vast majority of orders arrive healthy and ready to thrive in their new homes.