Chocolate Zebra Armadillidium maculatum
A striking banded isopod with rich chocolate-brown and cream striping.
Overview
Armadillidium maculatum 'Chocolate Zebra' is a color morph of the classic Zebra isopod, displaying warm brown tones rather than the standard black-and-white contrast. Native to rocky Mediterranean habitats, they are hardy, attractive, and well-suited to display in vivariums.
Habitat & Setup
Substrate mix: For best results, use Isopod Paradise Organic Substrate specifically formulated to support healthy colonies. If you would rather mix your own, we recommend a blend of 70% organic topsoil, 10% flake soil, 10% milled sphagnum moss, 8% organics(mushroom compost, earthworm castings and leaf litter) and 2% calcium
Hides & decor: Bark tubes and flats, leaf litter layer, moss patches, coco huts, lotus pods. Cuttlebone for calcium source.
Moisture: Mild gradient — slightly damp on one side. Avoid consistently wet substrate.
Diet & Feeding
Classic generalist detritivore. Calcium supplementation is important to support healthy molting of their banded exoskeleton.
✓ Feed These
- Oak & magnolia leaf litter
- Squash, carrot, sweet potato
- Fish flakes or dried shrimp
- Powder formulas like Isopod Chow, Repashy Morning Wood, Bug Burger, etc.e
Feeding frequency: Rotate foods on a weekly basis. Remove leftover food when food begins to mold.
Breeding & Lifecycle
Moderate breeders. Females carry a marsupium of 15–25 eggs. The Chocolate Zebra morph breeds true when kept as a pure colony. Prolific once established, but slower growing.
Mancae care: Mancae emerge with faint striping that deepens as they mature. Keep fine food particles available at the substrate surface.
Colony tips: Maintain as a pure morph colony — avoid mixing with standard Zebra to preserve the Chocolate coloration across generations.
The banding pattern on A. maculatum is unique to each individual — no two animals have identical stripes, much like a fingerprint.