How to Create an Isopod Habitat

A sandwich box or shoe box will make an ideal enclosure for your isopods, and the size depends mostly on how many isopods you have. You could also build a vivarium or display box with enhanced aesthetics to showcase your prized pets and impress others.

Most people start a new culture with about 10-20 isopods. In this case, it’s usually recommended to use a smaller enclosure. A smaller enclosure will bring your babies closer together, encouraging them to breed and make more isopods. Of course, you need to be mindful about using too small an enclosure, but you should be fine provided your isopods are not overcrowded. You will need to give your isopods larger habitats as their colonies grow.

Your enclosure should ideally be made from a clear material. UPVC or acrylic plastics are fine, as is glass. Whichever you choose, it’s best to check that the enclosure materials contain no chemicals or other compounds that might harm your isopods. Be particularly mindful of coloured materials in case the colouring agent contains toxic dyes and inks.

What your Habitat Needs

Your isopod’s enclosure will require various features, including:

• Substrate: Your isopods will need a ground layer, known as substrate. This substrate should provide shelter, nesting, exploring opportunities and nutrition. You can find more information on creating your own substrate here:

• A Moisture Source: A moisture source is essential for isopods. A common way to provide moisture is to provide plenty of moist Sphagnum moss. It might be tempting to offer water dishes, but isopods are prone to drowning. It’s common to mist your moss every couple of days so it stays hydrated. More sophisticated habitats might use automatic misting systems like our Hydro Pods.

• Leaf Litter: Isopods in the wild are usually found foraging below logs and leaf litter in the wild. Your habitat should mimic this leaf layer by providing a layer of dead or dying leaves at least one layer thick. Be mindful of which leaves you use because some can be toxic.

• Hideaways: Isopods like to feel protected, making it a good idea to offer plenty of shelters. Bark is one of the most popular and effective shelters available, and isopods will often gather in large groups there. Other hideaways include sticks, sphagnum moss, and snail shells.

• Ventilation: Isopods need oxygen, making cross ventilation essential. It is also essential to maintain the right humidity levels, so moisture must be allowed to escape. You have numerous ventilation options available to you, and the best for you depends on your isopod species and whatever you have to hand.

• Foliage: Live foliage is entirely optional. However, it is often preferred for aesthetics, air purification and processing ammonia. Isopods are unlikely to feast upon live foliage, provided they have sufficient access to preferred meals. You should research each type of foliage first to ensure it's compatible with isopods and can thrive in their habitat. Avoid using plants that will overgrow the habitat. 

• Security: Your habitat needs to be secure enough to keep isopods in and intruders out. This is quite easily achieved with a secure lid and small holes for ventilation. Make sure everything fits tightly, with no problematic gaps.

• Privacy: Imagine being at home, and a giant hand comes in, poking around and moving things about. You’re likely to be quite unsettled, and isopods can feel the same way. Isopods generally need some degree of privacy and to feel safe. As such, it’s important to leave them alone for as long as you can and giving them plenty of privacy will likely result in higher breeding rates.

Follow the brief guide above, and you should have healthy isopods that breed and expand your colony. Before you begin, you should read up on the requirements for your isopods because different species have different requirements. You should also observe the colony, without disturbing your isopods, to see where you can make improvements.

For example, if your isopods are all hanging out at the wet end, it suggests your habitat requires more moisture. This can usually be provided by adding moss, removing ventilation, providing less leaf litter, or a combination of the three.

And remember to be patient. While some isopod species are known for breeding rapidly, others will take more time. Avoid disturbing them as much as possible, and nature will likely take its course eventually.