Common Roly-Poly Isopods

Armadillidium vulgare

Looking for a gentle cleanup crew for your snail habitat? Armadillidium vulgare, commonly called the “common roly-poly,” is a hardy and adaptable isopod suitable for many temperate snail enclosures.

These isopods help consume decaying leaves, leftover food and other organic debris. Compared with more protein-hungry isopod species, A. vulgare is generally less aggressive—making it a better option for housing with healthy adult snails. They should still receive plenty of leaf litter, decaying wood and supplemental food.

Appearance

Wild-type A. vulgare is most commonly gray, but every colony can contain natural variation. Some individuals display three rows of attractive markings in yellow, white or orange, with differences in size and intensity. They can curl into a tight ball when disturbed, earning them the familiar “roly-poly” name.

Best Environment

• Best for temperate and semi-arid habitats

• Provide a moisture gradient with both damp and drier areas

• Include abundant hardwood leaf litter and hiding places

• Not recommended for constantly wet, tropical enclosures

• Prolonged high humidity may cause molting problems

• May eat tender live plants and seedlings

Please match their environmental needs with those of your snail species before adding them. Monitor isopods around snail eggs, hatchlings, sick or injured snails. A cleanup crew helps manage organic debris but does not replace routine spot-cleaning and egg checks.

Live-Arrival Weather Policy — Please Read

For the animals’ safety, packages traveling to destinations above 80°F or below 40°F will be marked Hold for Pickup at the nearest FedEx facility.

Please include your phone number during checkout in case your package must be held. The facility may not call when it arrives, so please monitor the tracking information and collect the package promptly once it becomes available.