{"product_id":"dairy-cow-isopod-porcellio-laevis","title":"Dairy Cow Isopod -  Porcellio laevis","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003eDairy Cow Isopods — \u003cem\u003ePorcellio laevis\u003c\/em\u003e “Dairy Cow”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey’re \u003cstrong\u003ehardy, highly prolific breeders\u003c\/strong\u003e and thrive in a \u003cstrong\u003esemi-arid to moderately humid environment\u003c\/strong\u003e with good ventilation, plenty of leaf litter, decaying hardwood and access to moisture. Their bold black-and-white markings and large size make them a fantastic display isopod, clean-up crew and feeder. 🦎🐄\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🌍 Origin:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003ePorcellio laevis\u003c\/em\u003e is native to \u003cstrong\u003eSouthern Europe, the Mediterranean region and North Africa\u003c\/strong\u003e and is now widely distributed around the world. The \u003cstrong\u003eDairy Cow\u003c\/strong\u003e is a captive-bred colour form rather than a separate species. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExcellent for semi-arid to moderately humid bioactive enclosures\u003c\/strong\u003e, provided they have access to a \u003cstrong\u003econsistently moist refuge\u003c\/strong\u003e while the remainder of the enclosure is allowed to stay drier.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA good setup is:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e💧 \u003cstrong\u003eMoisture:\u003c\/strong\u003e Maintain a clear moisture gradient with one area kept damp and the remainder relatively dry. They should always have access to moisture but should not be kept in saturated substrate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e🏜️ \u003cstrong\u003eSemi-arid enclosure:\u003c\/strong\u003e They are well suited to semi-arid setups when a damp retreat is provided. Good ventilation is important.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e🍂 \u003cstrong\u003eFood:\u003c\/strong\u003e Leaf litter and decaying hardwood should always be available. They also benefit from vegetables and \u003cstrong\u003esupplemental protein\u003c\/strong\u003e, as Dairy Cows have a notably strong appetite for protein.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e🪵 \u003cstrong\u003eHides:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cork bark, decaying wood and deep leaf litter provide excellent shelter and help create the moisture gradient.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e🦴 \u003cstrong\u003eCalcium:\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep a constant calcium source such as \u003cstrong\u003ecuttlebone or calcium carbonate\u003c\/strong\u003e available for healthy growth and moulting.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e🌡️ \u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately \u003cstrong\u003e18–26°C (65–80°F)\u003c\/strong\u003e is a good general range. Avoid prolonged excessive heat. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e📏 \u003cstrong\u003eAdult Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately \u003cstrong\u003e1.5–2.3 cm (½–⅞ inch)\u003c\/strong\u003e, with some individuals reaching around 2.5 cm. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDairy Cows are \u003cstrong\u003eone of the most popular beginner-friendly isopods\u003c\/strong\u003e because they are active, hardy and reproduce readily. Their larger size also makes them an especially substantial live feeder compared with smaller isopod species. Because they are fast, active and protein-hungry, they can sometimes outcompete smaller or more delicate isopods, so \u003cstrong\u003esingle-species cultures are often preferable when breeding them for sale\u003c\/strong\u003e. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardy • Fast breeding • Large \u0026amp; active • Great clean-up crew • Excellent nutritious feeder\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e*12–15 Isopods \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Laura's Got Worms + Exotics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48860796059805,"sku":null,"price":20.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0780\/4282\/4861\/files\/Screenshot2025-11-23at3.36.00PM.png?v=1788194194","url":"https:\/\/laurasgotworms.com\/products\/dairy-cow-isopod-porcellio-laevis","provider":"Laura's Got Worms + Exotics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}