Porcellio laevis – “Dairy Cow”

Overview

We have Dairy Cow Isopods for sale from our captive-bred collection started in 2018. They are a highly sought-after beginner species. They can be kept in Bioactive terrariums (for larger species) and are known for their ability to exceed as tank janitors (also known as Clean Up Crews, CUC).

Appearance and Size 

Adult Size 1.5 – 2.4cm

Easily one of the most recognizable laevis morphs on the market, and arguably the most familiar morph amongst hobbyists of all experience levels. Their name comes from the black and white pattern on their shiny exoskeletons and their resemblance to Dairy Cattle.

Like all Laevis Isopods, Dairy Cows are known for being one of the larger and aggressive isopod species. They use their big bodies to outcompete other isopod species. When used in the Bioactive Terrarium it is wise to only pair Lavies species with larger animals. There have been reports of Lavies eating small thumbnail frogs and smaller isopod species. Be sure to feed this species plenty, the adults have been known to almost bully and push away juveniles when feeding

Husbandry and Diet

Husbandry:

Like all laevis, “Dairy Cow” has a big appetite, enjoys warm temps, and breeds fast.  We always pair our isopods with springtails the Bioactive combination makes a healthy environment that is sure to stay clean.

Isopod Container Habitat: For display ventilated acrylic or Glass Enclosure. Economic a plastic container can be used but lacks in visibility and aesthetics.

Dairy Cow Isopod Diet:

• Fiber-Based: Decaying Hardwood (non-pine), Leaf litter, and even paper egg flats.
• Vegetable-Based: Freeze Dried Peas/Beans, Mushrooms, sweet potato
• Protein-Based: Yeast, Shrimp Meal/Pellets, Insect Frass (they love it!)

In our store, you will find Springtail Feed that is high in nutritional yeast, and our Isopod Food is a balanced recipe of Plant matter and proteins.

An important note when feeding is not to overfeed. Old food can spoil and attract fungus gnats, fruit flies, and mites.

Dairy Cow Isopod Breeding

Females: As they reach adulthood females will have a white cavity in between their legs. Females also seem to be larger than males.

Males: Do not have a white cavity between legs.

When breeding it is important to check colonies as part of a weekly routine and follow the above care guide.

Natural Habitat: 

Porcellio Laevis was first recorded in Europe.  The wild type was first documented in Britain in the 13th century but is argued amongst scholars that Laevis originated in Northern Africa. Thanks to world trade throughout the centuries this species has been distributed all over the world. Now being found in the wild of Australia, North and South America, Japan, Southwestern Asia, and even some Pacific Islands.

Thank you for Checking out the Dairy Cow Isopods Isopods we have for sale.  The Dairy Cow Isopods Isopods Care sheet.

We have spent a great deal of time gathering information the above information to enrich the Isopod hobby. We hope that you share this info and recommend us.

If you would like to submit information on a specific species that you think would be beneficial to the hobby please contact us on our FAQ page.

We also offer a large variety of springtails for sale. Isopods and Springtails combined together to create a bioactive terrarium which is a self-cleaning ecosystem mainly used in the reptile hobby.

The springtails we have for sale are from one of the largest and most diverse collections. We are also the largest supplier of springtails in North America at the TC INSECTS Springtail Research Laboratory in Houston Texas.