What Does Common Rough Woodlouse Look Like?
The Common Rough Woodlouse adult is about 1.8 centimeters in length, with a soft and cylindrical body that is covered with hard, overlapping plates known as tergites.
It is usually yellow to brown and features a pair of long antennae on its head. Porcellio scaber also has seven pairs of jointed legs.
The last set of legs acts as a “tail” and is used for balance when the creature is walking. Its head and legs are made up of several segments for increased flexibility.
As its name suggests, its body has a very rough texture that is composed of raised oval shapes, with its edges slightly jagged.
Benefits Of Using Common Rough Woodlouse
The Common Rough Woodlouse is a beneficial species for bioactive terrariums.
It plays an integral role in the cycle of decomposition, recycling organic material such as fallen leaves and waste, thereby contributing to the overall health of the vivarium’s environment.
Common Rough Woodlouse are low-maintenance, hardy, and relatively inexpensive to provide for – making them a great addition to many vivarium systems.
In addition to their decomposer benefits, the Common Rough Woodlouse is also considered aesthetically pleasing for many viewers.
Common Rough Woodlouse species are considered escape-proof, meaning they cannot climb smooth surfaces, making it a safe option for enclosures with other animals such as reptiles and amphibians.
Many species of reptiles and amphibians enjoy consuming woodlice, which further emphasizes the important relationship between woodlice and other animals in the vivarium.
Common Rough Woodlouse Facts
Porcellio scaber is generally easy to take care of and has a peaceful temperament, with a lifespan of around two years and the potential of breeding in captivity.
They are active mostly at night and are sensitive to light and heat. During the day, they hide and remain inactive, returning to the surface at night to feed and look for mates.
Habitat
The Common Rough Woodlouse is found throughout Europe and parts of South America and Australia.
They live in a variety of habitats, from damp wooded areas to temperate grasslands, preferring environments that are not too dry or wet.
These woodlice live in shallow burrows of damp soil or leaf litter, usually found under rocks and logs, or in dark corners of gardens, where there is ample food and moisture.
Commonly found in agroforestry sites and residential gardens, Common Rough Woodlice can also be found in agricultural landscapes, such as fields and pastures.
Replicate their natural habitat perfectly with our Bioactive Isopod Substrate Blend, designed to provide the ideal moisture and organic content for your isopods.
Diet
In the wild, Porcellio scaber can be found among forest litter, mulch, and moss.
They feed by using two sets of antennae to detect and scavenge for their preferred foods such as decaying organic matter, fungi, and even vegetation.
Common Rough woodlouse also eat dead insects and other decaying invertebrates.
These isopods typically look for food that is accessible and easy to break down, such as soft fruits, mushrooms, and other rot-prone items.
Temperament
The Common Rough Woodlouse is known for having a gentle, shy temperament around humans and other animals.
While they can become stressed or frightened when they’re handled by human hands, they typically act with no aggression towards anyone.
They are relatively easy to handle as long as you take the time to ensure that your woodlouse is comfortable with the environment.
Porcellio scaber tends to flee from strange or loud noises, drastic changes in temperature, or unfamiliar objects.
With enough time, they can learn to view the presence of humans and other animals as a normal part of their environment.
Lifespan
The Common Rough Woodlouse can live for around 1-2 years and have a fairly simple life cycle.
After mating, female Common Rough Woodlice will produce up to 20 baby woodlice, known as nymphs, through parthenogenesis.
The nymphs grow in size and go through several stages of life before reaching adulthood.
During their lifespan, Common Rough Woodlice will molt up to seven times and, after each molt, will become larger.
Once adults, the woodlice undergo sexual maturity and begin the process of mating to reproduce.
Breeding
During mating, the male Porcellio scaber will connect to the female through his openings called gonopore, which are located on the underside of the woodlouse.
The female woodlouse will then use her genital opening to receive the sperm.
Fertilization takes place inside the female woodlouse’s body, and when the babies are ready to emerge, they will come out head-first from the female’s genital opening.
They will look out for food and care for themselves on their own once they are born.
Where To Find Common Rough Woodlouse
Common Rough woodlouses are nocturnal and can often be found under rocks, foliage, logs, and other places in which they can hide.
They have a wide range of distribution, ranging from the Americas to Central Europe and even further south in many regions of Africa.
Common Rough Woodlouse can also be purchased from pet stores, online pet retailers, and herp societies.
They are sold in different sizes and can be purchased as a single specimen or in a small group.
When purchasing Common Rough Woodlouse for sale, always look for healthy specimens that appear to be active and in good condition.
