Invertebrates
Zebra Isopod
Armadillidium maculatum · also called zebra pillbug
Rolling into a tight, armoured ball at the first hint of danger, a zebra isopod shows off the bold black and white banding that gives it its name, one of the more strikingly patterned terrestrial isopods kept in the terrarium hobby.
Overview
The zebra isopod, Armadillidium maculatum, is native to a limited geographic range and now widely kept and bred in terrariums worldwide. Its bold zebra-like banding, defensive rolling behaviour, and role as a decomposer make it one of the most visually striking and ecologically useful small invertebrates in the terrarium hobby.
A pattern that stands out in the leaf litter
Against the muted browns and greens typical of a terrarium’s decomposing leaf litter, the zebra isopod’s crisp black and white banding stands out sharply, a feature that has made it a particularly sought-after species among terrarium keepers.
Status
Not Evaluated for conservation status, with most individuals in the terrarium trade now supplied through captive breeding.
Zebra Isopod: common questions
Why is it called the zebra isopod?
It carries bold black and white banding across its body that visually resembles the stripes of a zebra, giving the species its common name.
Can the zebra isopod roll into a ball like other pillbugs?
Yes, it can roll its body into a compact, armoured ball when threatened, a defensive behaviour shared with other related pillbug species.
Is the zebra isopod easy to keep in a terrarium?
It is popular and well-suited to the terrarium hobby, though it reproduces more slowly than some other common terrarium isopod species.
What does the zebra isopod eat?
It is an omnivore, feeding mainly on decaying plant matter, fungi, and leftover food, playing a role as a decomposer in its habitat.