Porcellio scaber

Rough woodlouse

Europe’s familiar scurrying grey woodlouse — extremely forgiving and the ancestor of many hobby morphs.

Adults about 1–1.7 cm; bumpy rough cuticle; does not roll into a complete ball (runs for cover). Native to Central Europe, ubiquitous in UK gardens. Surface-active and prolific — excellent visible cleanup when you want movement. Favours the drier end with about one-third damp and strong ventilation. Morphs (Lava, Dalmatian, Orange Koi, etc.) keep the same care as wild-type.

Diet: Leaf litter + rotten wood staple; notably protein-hungry (fish flake, dried shrimp, commercial isopod food a few times weekly); permanent calcium; veg sparingly.

Care tips

Moisture gradient: roughly one-third damp sphagnum/hide zone, rest semi-dry to dry.
Ventilate well; stale wet air is the common failure mode.
Feed protein regularly if you want colony growth.
Offer leaf litter and soft wood continuously.

Cautions

Can breed very fast — plan for population management.
Protein left on the wet side spoils and attracts mites; feed protein on the dry side.
Too wet + sealed = stress and die-off.
Wild garden animals: pesticide/hitchhiker warnings apply.