“Wild Type” Porcellio Leavis

Porcellio laevis “Big Pine Key” is a locality-based morph of the species Porcellio laevis, a common isopod often kept in the pet trade. This specific morph gets its name from Big Pine Key, an island in the Florida Keys, which is where this variation was originally found or selectively bred to resemble.

Here are a few key features and notes about this morph:

• Appearance: The “Big Pine Key” morph tends to have a smooth, shiny exoskeleton and may show paler coloration compared to standard P. laevis, sometimes with subtle patterning or lighter tones.
• Size: Like other Porcellio laevis, they are large isopods, reaching up to 2 cm or more.
• Behavior: They are active, fast breeders and bold, often staying out in the open more than other species.
• Care: They prefer a moist environment with good ventilation and benefit from a calcium-rich diet to maintain their exoskeletons.