Dairy Cow Isopods (Porcellio laevis)

What Are Dairy Cow Isopods?

Porcellio laevis are a small species of crustacean in the family of Porcellionidae.

They are often referred to as ‘arthropods’ due to their hard, exoskeleton and segmented bodies.

Their common name, Dairy Cow Isopods, is derived from their unique resemblance to cows in the sense that their stripes resemble a cow’s hide.

What Do Dairy Cow Isopods Look Like?

Dairy Cow Isopods are usually between 1.5 – 2.4cm in length and have oval bodies composed of seven segments with seven pairs of jointed legs.

Their colors range from yellow to brown, depending on the environment they are kept in.

They also have two antennae protruding from their head which act as sensory organs for their environment.

The tail area has two sets of pleopods which are used for swimming or crawling.

These crustaceans also have sharp claws which help them tear apart their food, forage for material, and defend themselves.

Benefits Of Using Dairy Cow Isopod

Using Porcellio laevis in vivariums is a great way to create a natural, self-sustaining ecosystem.

Dairy Cow Isopods are an important part of any bioactive terrarium setup, as they help to break down organic matter, aerate the substrate and keep detritivores in check, making them a key part of the food chain.

They are also good for cultivating enough organic matter for other detrivores, such as land snails and millipedes, to feed on. 

Dairy Cow Isopod Facts

Dairy Cow Isopods are a species of woodlice that are native to Southern Europe and North Africa.

They are incredibly hardy, with a natural diet of fungi, decaying leaves, and rotting wood, and typically live for many years.

Porcellio laevis very easily breed in captivity, with the female carrying her eggs until they are ready to hatch.

Dairy Cow Isopods make excellent pets because of their low maintenance and amusing nature.

Habitat

Porcellio laevis are terrestrial crustaceans that are native to Europe and Northwest Africa.

Dairy Cow Isopods have adapted to a wide variety of habitats, ranging from fields and meadows to forests and swamps.

In their natural environment, they hide in moist and shady places under logs, rocks, and loose soil.

These isopods are capable of burrowing and creating tunnels. This is one of their adaptations that allows them to survive in various climatic conditions and elevations.

They are also capable of adapting to different terrains and soil compositions.

This is how they spread to other parts of the world, such as North and South America, Australia, and New Zealand.

Diet

Dairy Cow Isopods are detritivores and typically feed on decaying vegetation as well as other organic matter found in their natural habitat.

They mainly graze on grasses, as well as decaying wood, leaf litter, and other plant matter.

Porcellio laevis also eat fruits and vegetables when they find them, making them heedless scavengers.

In addition, they will feed on fungi, mosses, and lichens growing on trees and rocks.

Temperament

Dairy Cow Isopods are generally quite gentle and docile critters, with no known hostile behaviors.

They rarely charge in the direction of another animal unless provoked, and even then it’s very rare for them to actually bite.

They typically retreat after coming in contact with humans or other creatures, making them an excellent choice of pet around children. 

These isopods seem to be very social creatures and can often be seen interacting with each other in their terrariums.

They do not do well in solitude, and it’s important to keep them in groups of at least three so that they have plenty of company.

As with other isopods, Dairy Cow Isopods become more active and social when kept in a group.

Lifespan

The life cycle of a Dairy Cow Isopod begins with an egg that hatches into a tiny isopod larva. This larva then goes through several molting stages before reaching adulthood.

During each molt, the isopod grows in size and eventually graduates to an adult. At the adult stage, the isopod will reproduce and lay eggs to complete the life cycle. 

Given proper care and healthy habitat, Dairy Cow Isopods have the potential to live up to two years or more.

In order to ensure they live a long and healthy life, it is essential that owners provide a clean environment with appropriate humidity and temperature levels.

Breeding

Dairy Cow Isopods mate and reproduce using a courtship ritual between male and female isopods.

The ritual starts with the male trying to get the female isopod to turn around after the male has positioned himself behind her.

If the female does turn around the male will proceed with their courtship further by touching the female’s antennae, or tail.

The male will then deposit sperm onto the female while they position themselves belly to belly at a 90-degree angle.

Afterward, the female will lay her eggs in a moist chamber, typically being either the soil, a peat moss lining, or a designated nesting chamber.

It is essential that the eggs are not exposed to dry conditions as this will decrease their chance of hatching.

Typically the eggs will hatch within 7-30 days and the young isopods will begin to develop.

It can take 8-14 weeks for the isopods to reach maturity and every 6-8 weeks after that they will molt and develop further.

Where To Find Dairy Cow Isopod

Dairy cow isopods are an interesting species of terrestrial isopods that are found in the wild or purchased from pet stores or online retailers.

When searching for dairy cow isopods in the wild, they are sometimes found hiding under rocks and logs and in crevices.

They may also be found in systems of underground burrows, which also offer entry points for potential predators.

When buying dairy cow isopods from pet stores or online retailers, it is important to make sure that they are healthy and safe for use as pets.

Once these precautions are taken, they can usually be purchased in bulk or in small groups.

For those looking to breed them, multiple males and females can be purchased to form larger colonies.