Safest way to count isopods?

[DevinWyldeheart]

I have an enclosure for my Porcellionides pruinosus isopods that is still pretty small. I want to get a good estimate of how many are in there so far to tell if they have bred. The problem is, I have had problems with how fragile these little friends are and don't want to accidentally injure them or worse by handling them. Any suggestions?

 

[Tarantulafeets]

If you want to see if they bred, you can carefully sift through the sub and try searching for mancae.

 

[kadupul]

I've heard people talk about taking a picture of them and then counting the 'pods in it.

 

[DevinWyldeheart]

I will try those. Thanks for the help!

 

[Wolf135]

When I had mine I put down a piece of wood and a piece of bark on top of the wood and they all huddled together under it which made it easy to count.

 

[DevinWyldeheart]

When I had mine I put down a piece of wood and a piece of bark on top of the wood and they all huddled together under it which made it easy to count.

This could work if the container was bigger but not sure I can fit any in there. Currently I have an egg carton piece as a hide for them and sometimes they are under there but lately they have taken up residence under/behind the thermometer/hygrometer that is stuck to the side. Not sure why they like that area but I always see at least a few back there

 

[Wolf135]

This could work if the container was bigger but not sure I can fit any in there. Currently I have an egg carton piece as a hide for them and sometimes they are under there but lately they have taken up residence under/behind the thermometer/hygrometer that is stuck to the side. Not sure why they like that area but I always see at least a few back there

I kept mine in a pencil box.

 

[DevinWyldeheart]

I kept mine in a pencil box.

Fair enough. I will see if I have any nice smaller bark pieces. I gathered a bunch near the pond at one point

 

[Wolf135]

Fair enough. I will see if I have any nice smaller bark pieces. I gathered a bunch near the pond at one point

You can keep isopods in anything as long as it has ventilation, I started my first colony from a fountain drink cup and they still reproduced.