Thai Spiky Isopod

Thai Spiky Isopod Care Guide

The Thai Spiky Isopod originates from Southern Thailand. However, you can find them lurking around in other places including the Sankarakhiri mountains, hence, their substantial presence in Malaysia.

The Thai Spiky isopod, like other isopods, has its beauty and uniqueness. It gets its “spiky”  attribute from the presence of spikes on its body.

A notable thing about Southern Thailand where the Thai Spiky Isopod is predominantly found is that the monsoon is in full swing, with heavy rainfall all year round from May to October on the west coast and from October to December on the east coast. 

If you want to know more about the infamous Thai Spiky Isopod, then you should continue reading.

Size, Appearance, and Behavior

The Thai Spiky Isopod has a rather prickly look which makes them a unique species of isopod. The whole body is also a bit bulky and looks a little thick. 

It has a very small length, however, despite the general length of isopods, it is considered bigger than other species.

They love to stay in dark places, which also corresponds to the social behavior of the Isopod species as studies have revealed.

The young Isopods remain almost solely in the care of their parents and rarely take the risk of leaving their safe location and secure protection from adults.

Caring for Thai Spiky Isopods

Check out the following ways to care for these stunning spiky Isopods in Thailand;

• Habitats

The Thai Spiky is usually found where ferns are in abundance. This has brought about the conclusion that they should be bred in terrariums. 

They thrive in wet areas more than other species of isopods, e.g. the Rubber Ducky. It is therefore a good idea to provide a drainage layer in the terrarium. 

Preparing the drainage layer in the terrarium is not so difficult, all that is needed to do this is to make a 2 cm high layer of clay granules or gravel at the bottom layer. 

This will help prevent waterlogging of the substrate and the soil from mold. The usage of systems that draw excess water from the sewer system has proven highly effective.

• The Substrate

The substrate for breeding the Thai Spiky Isopod can be prepared with rotting wood compost, rotting cork bark, sufficient peat moss, limestone as well as natural leaf droppings. 

A substrate builds on diversity and aids the development of a vibrant environment. 

All of these make crucial building blocks necessary to sustain the Thai Spiky isopods, as well as many other unusual species of isopods that live and reproduce.

• Feeding

Thai Spiky have quite a large appetite for their size. They enjoy leaves and are not selective about food. They like to eat dead organic matter, especially old, rotting cork bark and are an important part of many habitats.

• Temperature and Humidity

If you meet the humidity requirements, the Thai Spiky Isopods will thrive and breed excellently. With a temperature of around 21 – 270, they would breed well and you would observe interesting social behavior. 

A constant temperature is of utmost importance for this species, however, if it cannot be maintained, you should place them under a warmer container so they can thrive better.