Isopod supplies and Isopod habitats

Kent WA

Description

Thinking of getting into Isopods? Has your kid been begging for a pet? Complete isopod habitat *$35 Large 14.5L x 8.7W x9.7H Contains: 2qt isopod dirt mix, cork bark, 3 cups leaf litter, 2 cups sphagnum moss, small cuttlebone piece *$25 Small 11.7L x 7.7W x 8H Contains: 1qt isopod dirt mix, cork bark,1 cup leaf litter, 1 cup sphagnum moss, small cuttlebone piece *$20 Shoebox bin from Target can be used also Contains: 1qt isopod dirt mix, cork bark 1 cup leaf litter, 1 cup sphagnum moss, small cuttlebone piece -The dirty stuff $6 each Isopod dirt mix by the quart bag (all organic with pulverized leaf litter, complete recipe available) $10 each cypress mulch by the gallon bag (pure, reptile safe "triple washed") $2 each cuttlebone by the piece -----------------------------------------------------What are isopods?----------------------------------------------------- *Most people think Isopods are insects or bugs but they actually belong to the Subphylum: "Crustacea" which is were you may also know the crabs and lobsters! *If isopods get out or you lose them they are not going to "infest" or "eat" your house. *Isopods don't smell! Their droppings or "frass" does not smell, any scents from their habitat are of a nature/forest smell *Isopods also have many different species, they are all not grey or brown. Some have patterns, yellows, greens, reds and many combinations and shapes. Which makes them interesting and a someone of a collectible -----------------------------------------------------Why Isopods? ----------------------------------------------------- *Clean up crew- Isopods are decomposers, they will break down plant waste, droppings from your reptiles, and will spread nutrients throughout the tank to keep the eco-system of a bioactive alive *Great pets- Isopods are great pets, strike that they are awesome pets! They are low maintenance, don't need any special lights/heaters/large tanks. They can live in a shoebox size Sterlite container and can be fed small chunks of vegetables, fish foods and usually most reptile food *Feeders- Isopods can be used as great treats/snacks for reptiles, and have much more mass/protein compared to a cricket -----------------------------------------------------Parents perspective----------------------------------------------------- Imagine your child wanting a Lizard/Snake or other reptile, you're at the pet store it can be several hundreds of dollars in buying that reptile, reptile tank, reptile lights, reptile heaters and then all the decor it may need. Then maintenance, most reptiles need special monitoring for their temperatures/humidity level and lots of cleaning so they don't become sick. The new pet owner (your kid) may be good with this but you know you are the one going to be doing most of the work. Then if something does happen to the new reptile, then come vet bills or them passing away Also the reptile may grow and need a very large tank depending on which one With an isopod they are very hardy, and mostly prolific so the little colony can grow overtime and not a big loss if one or two passes, plus can be stowed away on a bookshelf or desk in their little tub -----------------------------------------------------Basic care----------------------------------------------------- 5qt-15qt Sterlite tub, 3gal-10gal fish tank, small reptile tank, or a critter keeper! Isopod mix substrate- this can be made with organic supplies from local nursery/home improvement store Cork bark- can be picked up at pet store or ordered online Leaf litter- can be collected from outside and boiled/baked or ordered online Moss- local home improvement store/nursery nothing with dyes in it! Adding springtails to your Isopod colony is also a great idea and inexpensive (I can supply) Isopod diet is their substrate, leaf litter, and then and food scraps you put in, there is also special powders you can buy or just use fish food/reptile foods to feed Other common names used for isopods are potato bugs, rolly pulley, woodlouse, and probably many other names depending on where you grew up.