Clown Isopods (Armadillidium klugii)

What Are Clown Isopods?

Armadillidium Klugii is a member of the family Armadillidae, commonly referred to as Clown Isopods due to the flamboyant coloring of their exoskeleton.

Two popular mutations of Clown Isopods are Armadillidium klugii ‘Dubrovnik’ and Armadillidium klugii ‘Montenegro’ which are scientifically named after the two countries these crustaceans are thought to have originated from.

This species of isopod is the ideal pet for any beginner, requiring minimal care while providing hours of entertainment!

What Do Clown Isopods Look Like?

Clown Isopods are an arthropod species that are widely recognized for their bright coloration and signature clown-like patterns.

They measure approximately 0.5 inches in length and come in a variety of colors and patterns yellow, orange, pink, blue, and white.

Armadillidium klugii exhibit segmented bodies, which are split into up to 8 sections, with each body part composed of multiple hard plates.

They have 7 sets of legs, two prominent antennae, and two large mandibles. They also possess two projections from their abdomen, which are often mistaken for antennae.

These projections are called uropods and are used for walking and “strumming” the substrate. This behavior helps Clown Isopods detect food and communicate with one another.

Benefits Of Using Clown Isopods

Adding Clown Isopods to your vivarium is an excellent way to maintain cleaner, healthier, and more interesting ecosystems.

Armadillidium klugii is intrinsically beneficial for enclosures, as they are superior waste managers thanks to their affinity for scavenging.

Their natural diet consists of decomposing and decaying matter, recycling waste materials, and breaking them down into nutrients for many types of terrariums.

This improves the overall health of the tank and keeps the environment balanced.

Furthermore, unlike other invertebrates, Clown Isopods are not typically considered pests and they do not carry the risk of introducing diseases or other organisms into the vivarium.

As such, they can provide critical maintenance and cleaning service without having any negative impact on the overall environment of the miniature ecosystem.

Clown Isopod Facts

Clown Isopods are a unique species of terrestrial isopods, found primarily in the humid environments of the Balkan Peninsula, and ranging from yellow to orange in color.

They are detrivores and can live up to three years with the right care, and can be bred with attention to temperature and humidity.

Habitat

Armadillidium Klugii originates from the Balkan region and can be found scavenging throughout many parts of southeast Europe. 

While they are incredibly adaptable creatures, they tend to inhabit dark, moist environments with plenty of loose leaf litter or other such substrates to hide in.

Diet

In their natural habitat, Clown Isopods are scavengers who mainly feed on decaying plant materials.

These curious crustaceans will also search for food at night and will happily eat a variety of small decaying invertebrates, such as caterpillars, spiders, and other insects.

Temperament

Clown Isopods may appear intimidating at first glance, but these crustaceans are quite docile when handling.

They can be handled and interacted with without posing any danger to humans or other animals.

In fact, when touched in a gentle manner, Armadillidium klugii may even display signs of pleasure, such as curling their tails in contentment.

Despite this, it’s important to note that Clown Isopods can be sensitive creatures and are easily disturbed, so it is best to observe their behavior from a distance.

When kept in habitats shared with other animals, these isopods typically mind their own business and do not interfere with their cohabitants.

Additionally, since Clown Isopods are nocturnal, they are more active when the lights are off, so it is best to observe them during the evening.

Lifespan

Armadillidium Klugii has a relatively short lifespan compared to other invertebrates. Depending on the environment, they can live up to one to three years in captivity.

Despite their shorter life cycle, they have very interesting and complex life cycles, making them fascinating creatures to observe. 

At birth, these tiny crustaceans, molt for the first time and gradually grow over time.

As mature adults, Clown Isopods will continue to molt, gradually changing color and size.

Once their molt cycle is complete, the crustacean will reproduce, and this process produces between five and eight eggs.

Females have specialized organs for nourishing their young, and these eggs usually hatch in about three weeks. 

Breeding

To reproduce, a breeding pair of male and female Clown Isopods will typically form a “mating cycle” or a “tandem bridge”, where the male and female link their bodies together in a bridge shape.

The male will then insert his sperm into the female’s genital pore and fertilize her eggs. 

The female will lay her eggs in a stack sack usually close to a source of food within the substrate. 

Breeding Armadillidium klugii is heavily dependent on environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and adequate nutrition. 

Where To Find Clown Isopods

If you are looking to find Clown Isopods in the wild, they can be found throughout Europe and Asia.

You should make sure to only collect a few specimens at a time in order to ensure the species remains intact and you are not disrupting their natural habitat.

Armadillidium klugii is most commonly found under logs and rocks near streams, rivers, and pools where they can remain moist.

Care should still be taken when collecting these isopods in the wild because sudden changes in temperature, humidity, or food sources can be stressful and potentially life-threatening.

Finding Clown Isopods for sale is relatively easy as they are a popular species that can be acquired from many pet stores and online retailers.

When purchasing Armadillidium klugii, you should look for healthy specimens that are active and have a bright color.

You can also look for pet-specific shops local to you that specialize in rare species like Clown Isopods.

It is important to note that if you are purchasing from a store, you should take the time to make sure the environment they are being kept in is suitable.