Armadillidium maculatum 'Zebra'

About this species

Armadillidium maculatum is a European species known for its distinctive dark body with pale longitudinal stripes, giving it the 'Zebra' common name. Like other Armadillidium, it can conglobate (roll into a ball) when disturbed. It breeds more slowly than Porcellio species and prefers stable, calcareous conditions, making it a species that suits keepers who've already kept an easier species.

Enclosure

A well-ventilated container with a minimum footprint of 20×15 cm is suitable for a starter colony. Good cross-ventilation is important. Provide cork bark, limestone pieces, and leaf litter as standard furnishings. This species appreciates a dry setup with a small moist corner for retreating to when needed.

Substrate

They benefit from a calcareous substrate mix:

• 50% coco coir
• 20% organic topsoil
• 15% crushed limestone or chalk
• 15% sand

You need a moisture gradient, with one corner kept consistently damp with the rest allowed to stay dry. A depth of 5–8 cm is sufficient. Top with dried oak leaves for both shelter and food.

Feeding

The colony requires a calcium-rich diet to support its thick, heavily mineralised exoskeleton. A balanced diet includes:

• Dried leaves (oak, beech), the staple of their diet
• Vegetables: carrot, courgette, sweet potato
• Cuttlebone permanently available, even more important for this species than for Porcellio
• Occasional protein: dried shrimp or fish flakes

Remove uneaten fresh food after 48 hours to prevent mould.

Breeding

Breeding is slower than with Porcellio species. Females produce one brood every 2–3 months under ideal conditions, with 10–20 mancae per brood. Patience is needed, as colonies build steadily over 6–12 months rather than exploding in numbers. Avoid disturbing the substrate excessively, particularly during the first few months as the colony establishes itself.