Southern Pill Isopod (Armadillidium depressum) - Woodlouse Culture
Looking for the "heavyweight" champion of British isopods? Armadillidium depressum, the Southern Pill Isopod, is a spectacular UK native species prized for its large size, flattened armoured silhouette, and beautiful slate-grey mottled patterns.
Unlike the common pill bug, the Southern Pill Isopod is broader and more robust, with a unique inability to roll into a perfectly closed sphere—leaving a fascinating gap that showcases its heavy-duty anatomy.
At EntoScapes, our Southern Pill Isopods are UK captive-bred and raised on our high-calcium, hardwood-rich substrates to ensure they arrive strong and ready to thrive.
Explore the sections below for our biology-led guide on their Southwest English origins, their unique incomplete rolling defence, and why these rugged, wall-climbing specialists are the perfect hardy addition to any temperate bioactive display.
- Southwest English Origins: This species has a very specific geographic stronghold, primarily found in Southwest England (specifically the limestone-rich areas of Somerset, Devon, and Dorset) and South Wales. Biologically, they are adapted to the well-drained environments of old stone walls, limestone pavements, and coastal gardens.
- Appearance: Another underrated species! A lovely isopod or 'pill bug' with a shiny smooth slate grey body, and some individuals have higher expressions of yellow spotting. This species is very similar to A. vulgare but can be identified by its pleon which curves outwards like a fan. It also leaves a small gap when it rolls into a ball unlike vulgare which can fully enclose itself.
- Size & Longevity: Reaching up to 2.0cm, they are significantly larger than the standard A. vulgare. They are a slow-growing, long-lived species that creates a very stable and rewarding, multi-generational colony.
- The Limestone Requirement: Due to their origins in the limestone-rich Southwest, these isopods have a high demand for calcium to maintain their thick, heavy exoskeletons. We provide our colonies with cuttlebone and crushed egg shell to ensure they have the minerals needed for successful moulting.
- UK Species Humidity and Temperature Range: Being from the South West of England, these are suited to living in both humid and temperate conditions, but can take a little while to settle like most Armadillidium species. We suggest providing these with at least a 3cm layer of leaf litter and rotting wood to help them feel settled.
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Wall-Climbing Specialists: In the wild, they are frequently found on vertical surfaces. They are exceptional climbers compared to other Armadillidium species. Providing vertical cork bark or 3D-printed climbing ledges allows them to express this natural behaviour.
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