Pill Bug parasites?

[Gumchole]

I have a question about Pill Bugs. Yesterday while I was working outside moving some rocks, I came across Pill bugs. I noticed one Pill on it's back and picked it up. I saw what looked like baby pill bugs on the larger pill bug's stomach. I thought it was a female nursing it's babies. I put her back down, then left the area alone.

I looked online this morning, and saw that Pill bugs have pouches, and nothing about nursing young. My question is: could what I thought were babies have been parasites?

 

[Doodlebird]

I have a question about Pill Bugs. Yesterday while I was working outside moving some rocks, I came across Pill bugs. I noticed one Pill on it's back and picked it up. I saw what looked like baby pill bugs on the larger pill bug's stomach. I thought it was a female nursing it's babies. I put her back down, then left the area alone.

I looked online this morning, and saw that Pill bugs have pouches, and nothing about nursing young. My question is: could what I thought were babies have been parasites?

It could be babies leaving her pouch, or she could be dead and she is being eaten by young isopods.

 

[Gumchole]

It could be babies leaving her pouch, or she could be dead and she is being eaten by young isopods.

Thanks for replying. I thought of babies leaving her pouch, but not the other. Since she was on her back, maybe she was dead. I'm going to keep my eye on these Pill bugs. I didn't know until this morning the real name for them.

 

[Doodlebird]

Thanks for replying. I thought of babies leaving her pouch, but not the other. Since she was on her back, maybe she was dead. I'm going to keep my eye on these Pill bugs. I didn't know until this morning the real name for them.

Yep! Isopods are a whole order of crustaceans. Both terms are correct, but most keepers call them isopods. They are actually pretty easy and fun to keep if you are interested in them

 

[Gumchole]

Yep! Isopods are a whole order of crustaceans. Both terms are correct, but most keepers call them isopods. They are actually pretty easy and fun to keep if you are interested in them

I just read about them yesterday! It was interesting. I'm assuming you keep them. Do you have a thread about them?

 

[Doodlebird]

I just read about them yesterday! It was interesting. I'm assuming you keep them. Do you have a thread about them?

I do keep them! I don't actually have a thread about them, but Snake Discovery has a good care video if you are interested.

 

[Grayman1984]

I just started keeping them myself and be warned, they are addictive!

 

[MrGhostMantis]

I just started keeping them myself and be warned, they are addictive!

Those are addictive? Try mantids

P.S I love your profile pic.

 

[Grayman1984]

Those are addictive? Try mantids

P.S I love your profile pic.

I’ve yet to venture into those, my bank account can only take so much abuse lol and thanks!

 

[Gumchole]

I do keep them! I don't actually have a thread about them, but Snake Discovery has a good care video if you are interested.

I watched 2 videos on their care. Undecided.

 

[Europus Gigantus]

I live in the woods in Western Washington, where potato bugs (sow bug isopods) are as common as grass. I have also started keeping local spiders, specifically Callobrius Severus, of which there is very little info about care. So, does anyone know if Callobrius S. would eat our local isopods? I can literally step outside and grab some, a lot closer than going to the pet store for crickets!

 

[Gumchole]

I live in the woods in Western Washington, where potato bugs (sow bug isopods) are as common as grass. I have also started keeping local spiders, specifically Callobrius Severus, of which there is very little info about care. So, does anyone know if Callobrius S. would eat our local isopods? I can literally step outside and grab some, a lot closer than going to the pet store for crickets!

Is there any reason why you can't just put a few in with the spiders to find out?

 

[Doodlebird]

I live in the woods in Western Washington, where potato bugs (sow bug isopods) are as common as grass. I have also started keeping local spiders, specifically Callobrius Severus, of which there is very little info about care. So, does anyone know if Callobrius S. would eat our local isopods? I can literally step outside and grab some, a lot closer than going to the pet store for crickets!

I find that my spiders will attack them, but they can't get their fangs through the shell. Doesn't hurt to try though.

 

[Europus Gigantus]

Thank you! I am so new at this, I wanted to be sure a couple of "potato bugs" wouldn't be harmful. I have a couple of pretty good sized girls, so I will try it!

 

[Scorpiobsession]

Thank you! I am so new at this, I wanted to be sure a couple of "potato bugs" wouldn't be harmful. I have a couple of pretty good sized girls, so I will try it!

What you don't want is for them to escape and reproduce, they can and will eat a molting tarantula.

 

[Europus Gigantus]

What you don't want is for them to escape and reproduce, they can and will eat a molting tarantula.

Thanks...I was concerned about that. And parasites! I did try it just now, though, and my two big Callobius girls ate theirs right away, I have what is basically a sling Callobius sp (I think), and I put a tiny pill bug in with him, he not only wasn't interested, but kind of afraid, so I took the little isopod out and put it back outside. I really appreciate your advice, and sorry for hijacking OP's thread!

 

[Scorpiobsession]

Thanks...I was concerned about that. And parasites! I did try it just now, though, and my two big Callobius girls ate theirs right away, I have what is basically a sling Callobius sp (I think), and I put a tiny pill bug in with him, he not only wasn't interested, but kind of afraid, so I took the little isopod out and put it back outside. I really appreciate your advice, and sorry for hijacking OP's thread!

Don't feed wild food, they could have internal parasites that can harm your tarantula.

 

[Europus Gigantus]

Don't feed wild food, they could have internal parasites that can harm your tarantula.

Thank you again. Although my spiders are wild caught true spiders, I have grown attached to them, and it feels like a big responsibility caring for any living creature, especially when there is so little information on them. Better safe than sorry, I'm out to buy some crickets today!