Isopod Babies! The interesting mating behavior of P. scaber and why isopod colonies are awesome

The isopods in my homemade isopod culture had babies. That's why I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to share with you the amazing mating behavior and reproduction of Porcellio scaber (common rough woodlouse). In this video I also show you how I clean my DIY isopod terrarium and there's some bonus footage of some woodlice eating a carrot.
Enjoy!
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Patreon:
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Patrons: Claudia Watrin, Justin Duch, Daniela Partington, Non Mea Culpa, Matilda Fiship, Adam Rogers, Ed L, connor johnson, Axio
Isopods are also known as: Roly polies, pillbugs, woodlice, slaters, potato bugs, doodle bugs, sow bugs, armadillo bugs, boat-builders, butcher boys, butchy boys, carpenters, cafners, cheeselogs, cheesy bobs, cheesy bugs, chiggy pigs, chucky pigs, gramersows, granny greys, hog-lice, monkey-peas, monk's lice, pea bugs, peasie-bugs, roll up bugs, roly-poly, wood bugs, gramfers, chisel bobs, woodpigs, timberpigs, peaballs, pishamares, tomato bugs, chuggy-pegs, crunchy bats, billy buttons, parson pigs, chickypigs, choogeypigs, chiggywigs, charliepigs, slunkerpigs, penny sows, grammasows, granddad gravys, granddads, granny greys, granny granshers, croogers if small, granfy croogers if large, granfergravys, granfygroogers, gramphycoochies, gramfycouchers, cheeserockers, cheeseybobs, chiselbugs, cheesers, cheeseballs, monkeypedes, monkeypigs, sourbugs, slateybeetles, leatherjackets, dampers, billybakers, bellybuttons, nutbugs, ticktocks, flumps, carpetmonsters and ogopogos.

[@LifeinJars]

I'm really loving this series and the isopods! Here's the first isopod video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3WkmKuXg9majcU

[@reecehxcksn472]

Life in Jars? Very nice video.

[@mehlessmidori602]

I have such a dirty mind...

[@Clumsy-vp3if]

Awesome videos, what country are you from?

[@TinuVoicu]

@@Clumsy-vp3if i think he's from Netherland

[@gayefanner731]

He’s Dutch 🥰 from THE Netherlands ✌️

[@blakethomson7775]

I love how caring he is about not throwing away the isopods that he picked up off the ground.

[@LifeinJars]

I love how you love that!

[@tyesonjackson6848]

Life in Jars? I love how you love that he loves that!

[@_voidiance_2168]

I love all of this!

[@cuckoobrain7999]

merry christmas!

[@TheCommentNinja81]

@@LifeinJars Guys! I came here to watch this video just because I felt your love ! That's beautiful !

[@austinmarks4088]

"She Pregnant" - Life in Jars? 2020

[@huskysings9536]

😭😭😭

[@huskysings9536]

6:51

[@MoonDisast]

The ZeFrank is strong in this one

[@Poopeh_le_pieux]

"They are like humans, wich I am also One" of course, buddy

[@Cyttorak1754]

Which*

[@Frozen_Ketchup]

Life in Jars is actually a extraterrestrial that got interested in life in Earth and now wants to be a human. Which he is one.

[@SaladDressing69]

@@Frozen_Ketchup They gots ganja on Gaia.

[@bast4rdlyreaper]

@@Cyttorak1754 Witch*

[@littlegoblin6923]

I’m gonna cry the isopods always look like they’re waving to the camera 🥺

[@AnkhAnanku]

@Abbie Lichtenstein kzbin.info/www/bejne/qKLbnJ-QhMSpqaM I didn’t realize the 30 second mark in the above link was an accurate depiction of isopod behavior

[@Shaden0040]

to get rid of the mold add springtails.

[@LifeinJars]

Yeah I did do that but they kept escaping through the holes :/

[@bile897]

Life in Jars? Then make a better setup

[@samanthawhite3127]

Pup314 was just about to say that

[@thatoneparticularsquid8311]

@@LifeinJars Try putting a fine mesh over the holes, then it's still ventilated but you can keep smaller bugs like springtails in there

[@iscosg]

@@LifeinJars Put a filter over the holes

[@hyperstone9]

9:09 "Well, isopods that's about it for today"

[@LifeinJars]

To be honest I only heard it when I was editing but it's quite fitting right? Haha

[@theblekedet6467]

We are his isopods

[@gayefanner731]

We’re his Podlets! ✌️

[@noinformationavailable4114]

"Bay bayz" was my favorite part of this episode

[@LifeinJars]

Hehe

[@TSZatoichi]

@@LifeinJars - Ze Frank wants to know your location.

[@alext2046]

Schitts Creek anyone?

[@i_CARLYYYYY]

@@alext2046 this is the comment I came for hahaha bay bay

[@Quest-Giver]

nice vid :) coconut husk is prone to molding very often, so you might like to switch to a mix of sphagnum moss, peat moss, hardwood leaves and organic soil. Also, if you haven't already, look into adding springtails into the enclosure. I've been keeping my isopods like this and have had no mold problems in 1 year also that uniquely coloured individual looks very similar to a "Porcellio Scaber 'Lava'"!

[@mikemoyer8162]

Another good idea is a thin layer of charcoal on the bottom.

[@normanthehobbiest]

@@mikemoyer8162 What will the charcoal do?

[@mikemoyer8162]

@@normanthehobbiestit helps soak up organics and bacteria, which in turn helps cut down mold.

[@mikemoyer8162]

@@hiccup1001 maybe it's just because I live in socal and the heat plus humidity I keep, the bugs can't quite keep up on their own.

[@jordand.773]

‘Lava’ is a scaber morph originated in Spain. it’s probably a calico!

[@LaGuera2858]

I am such a sucker for rolly pollys. As a child I always made outdoor "rolly polly farms" as I would call them (at the age of 4). So far out of my 32 years of life I have only seen one albino rolly polly.

[@dianazaalberg1993]

I actually have white isopods. They are so cute I add them to my terrariums. They are not albinos, mine are called Porcellionides Pruinosus White Out I bought them online

[@phlism]

I love this channel. More than I thought I would! That's it. Nothing else to contribute other than appreciation that you care for isopods and other smol creatures.

[@JessilynT]

I believe their scientific name is Rollie Pollie.

[@rustyh1686]

Pretty sure its Slater😂

[@arcanacapra9792]

No, I'm pretty sure its "chucky pig".

[@jib21812]

Ah yes, my fellow s-cienific (pronounced; sss-sky-inti-fic) peoples

[@sidgar1]

Pillbugs 🙂

[@TheTimRizzle]

uh, no, these dont roll into a ball when scared. they cant even go into a ball. different bug.

[@fras2506]

“Count with me” gave me nostalgia from watching Dora the explorer

[@loganalbrinck9975]

Hey man I wanna thank you for introducing me to the hobby of ecospheres I started my first one last month and its amazing!

[@LifeinJars]

Have fun! :)

[@Asdayasman]

Hey dude how's the ecosphere going now?

[@YaBoi-jg9zg]

e.e e.e make a vid about it! Be sure to say where you got inspired from though.

[@panicensuess985]

*"she p r e e e g e n t"* *"bAy beZ"*

[@matthewosborne8635]

I loved your first episode so much, went out and got some Isopods of my own!! They are the cutest things ever lol and they are fun to watch! So thank you for uploading!

[@LifeinJars]

That's great!

[@ProVelvetX]

"So, why don't you close your eyes and try to see what I'm telling you.” _cries in aphantasia_

[@simtexa]

@@borisnorris5812 The inability to picture or visualise things internally, i.e. "close your eyes and picture an isopod" becomes impossible.

[@Cwuka]

You cant imagine images in your head

[@willemkossen]

isopods and me have had an interesting relationship for all my life. in fact, my grandfather - who has the same name as myself - wrote a book in which the first story features an isopod. the book is called 'verre familie'. When i was a kid, an isopod actually entered our house, somehow got on her back and released about a dozen babies. i saw it happening life, really interesting, and i was hooked. pissebedden, keldervarkentjes. so many dutch names for them. really nice.

[@hu3cat]

This is my favorite video of yours so far I just found your channel and I love it

[@samanthakerger3273]

Everyone: Life In Jars Guy and Moira Rose: bébés

[@lancerevo9553]

At 8:48 I couldn't help but imagine the baby Isopode playing the piano with its antennae.

[@rustyh1686]

I have a date with my daugter next weekend to make our first 2 closed ecosystems in a jar. Keep it up, love it.

[@LifeinJars]

Have fun and good luck!

[@rustyh1686]

I took my two favourite girls, wife and daughter Out to fill our first to life and jar, jars. I know it's very boring for most people, and For the moment, there is absolutely nothing to see, but I am going to be posting a look at them every now and then so my daughter can check My ones out and I can see her ones. Since she is only 11, She won't be posting anything that it's public. But I will just in case anyone wants to have a look. As I said, they havn't even settled yet. And unfortunately, there are a lot of mosquito larvae in there, But eventually, if they work I will be asking for some help identifying things. So hopefully in a couple of months. I will be back and asking for some help. Enjoy everyone, and thank you, mate for the great channel and great idea, I would have never thought to do something like this. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXTQZKF_rcylm68 If you don't want My link hair, I totally understand. But I am so not chasing any followers, so you have nothing to worry about.👍

[@scrapycocoanton7451]

Video is Private mate :( I’m interested haha

[@Beemorriscats]

One of my favorite KZbin channels! Equal parts entertaining and educational!

[@gwendolyncarter5668]

Awww.. they are all just too darn cute! We call them Roly Polies here in GA! 😃

[@jem5636]

I really love your channel. You say everything in a very calming voice, but in a very funny and interesting way. I love watching anything you put out.

[@LifeinJars]

Thank you very much

[@the711devin4]

It’s always a sign of success when the isopods get preegnant with bébés

[@strongethan1583]

Add spring tails they help with mold so you won’t have to clean

[@tinnamchoi]

4:20 that jumpscare lmao, i love this channel

[@fruityninja4026]

I hate those parasitic Isopods though, they’re gross

[@silentlyjudgingyou6435]

420 lets blaze it

[@SquirrelASMR]

Shee preeegnant 🤣🤣🤣

[@sleepyash6013]

Us humans, of which I am also one- 😂😂😂

[@heatherjensen3327]

The isopod with the different coloring is called red calico morph. See if you can isolate it and then you can sell them or have a separate colony!

[@corbinbarron8772]

If you’re going multigenerational, you might want to add outsiders with the babies for gene pool reasons. Probably not a big deal considering how simple they are. Still the less incest the better.

[@cicadeus7741]

This is true. I add an extra few to my colony every few months. It just helps the genetic diversity for happier, healthier podlets.

[@gayefanner731]

Podlets! Love it 🥰

[@Leila555]

I love that you love isopods. And because you have shared your love of isopods with the world, I too love isopods. Also, I personally think tongue eating parasites are cute.

[@DannysAquariums]

That’s so cool, congrats! Isopods are awesome.

[@milehightarantulas8563]

I love isopods! I am glad you colony is doing well.

[@LifeinJars]

Me too!

[@mishochko]

I've had my isopod colonies for about 3 years now, and I haven't cleaned them once, no mold problems, nothing. In fact, it smells fresh, like a forest. Essentially they make soil out of dried leaves and bark. I suggest you leave the substrate for longer, wait for the mold to die down, which I guarantee will happen, and you'll be good to go. Maybe prepare a humid batch beforehand, so the mold cycle ends before you transfer the isopods. Adding springtails and changing up the substrate mixture a bit would also help. I use one part torn up dried leaves to half a part coarse bark to half a part eco earth.

[@j3we11n6]

although i sometimes have no idea what you’re saying or talking about... all your content is really wholesome and enjoyable and makes me very very happy thank you for being so so good at these videos. lov u mr. life in jars

[@undeadexile2485]

This is the most wholesome video i have seen since "Baby Monkey protects ducklings". Keep up the good work bro, love the content, the originality, and i also love your devotion to life in jars.

[@SquirrelASMR]

So these tiny guys are related to the giant desp sea version? Wow I never realized they were both like the same thing.

[@LifeinJars]

Yup

[@ArchangelHornet]

I love this guy's sense of humour

[@Rainbowpeppercorns]

thank you for more isopods!!!! yes isopods!!! such a cool experience to see them so close

[@arianolewis]

If you’re having trouble with mold, I suggest adding temperate springtails to the tank. They will help by eating the mold

[@AnaPaula-so7ws]

Beautiful hi quality video! Isopods are fun creatures to observe! Love your content!

[@makaimaukahasopinions848]

I put local caught isopods in my local caught Giant African Land Snail terrarium. I've found my self more fascinated by the isopods - and they breed like crazy! Happy terrarium.

[@broskibrodybrobro9771]

Usually I get creeped out when people talk about reproduction cause I have to think about all that but his voice makes it so easy to be interested

[@heykerryann]

Did I detect a Ze Frank nod? 😉

[@LifeinJars]

;)

[@alyssam8550]

I started a freshwater ecosphere on Friday. It has some little nematodes, wiggly worms, and tiny snails swimming around, and I love them already.

[@guig008]

aaaawwwww they're so adorable eating the carrot

[@rockyreecey4191]

Have you watched the horror movie “The Bay”? It’s about isopods getting into the drinking water. Scarred me for life when my mothers boyfriend made me watch it when I was 12

[@tonesbeats703]

Yesssss! You always post at the best time. Your a psychic!

[@lupuskeenway8866]

Can we keep them please?

[@LifeinJars]

Yes we can! :)

[@0krazy257]

Ggh

[@j.spallin1502]

I just want to express how great this video is. Just subscribed and eager to discover more of your reportage!

[@LifeinJars]

Thanks!

[@ored85]

That's enough! Now I must make my own isopod terrarium.

[@RoleyChiu]

I love this channel. New subscriber!! thanks for making me laugh, human.

[@SimSpencerX]

Your content is consistently educational, interesting, and fun to watch! Thank you for making these!

[@alinusika]

I just love your videos Makes you appreciate all those little creatures so much more! Waiting for your next upload ❤

[@JingoTastic]

Really hoping the rusty isopod has babies that look like them! What a pretty coloration.

[@Warren_Williams]

Have you considered adding springtails to control the mold?

[@LifeinJars]

I have and I did, with no success. I'll try again though

[@FusionDeveloper]

Thank you, now I know why isopods get on top of each other and have theirs faces near each other.

[@jacobdavis5518]

These isopods are so sweet

[@AlexRejba]

I also made an isopod terrarium, and there are tons of babies now.

[@brookbowers6141]

Awesome video! I shared with my classes for our Isopod Behavior Lab. The students need to invest some time doing research on some background info before designing their experiment behavior lab procedures. This video was extremely powerful for finding accurate and entertaining information. Also, one of our research groups from 5th period witnessed a female giving birth to multiple nymphs. I have pics and video footage of this if you want to see. Thanks for promoting good science!

[@leemon2677]

I love how you put piano music over this cos it looks like they are playing piano with their antennae xD

[@HellishSpoon]

I did not expect to get jumpscared by parasitic isopods

[@opercula]

What could be better than a bottle of bugs. I love it.

[@CARD_BOARD_BEAR]

You should to totally try to isolate that orange and black isopod strain and get a colony of just those. That would be a fun project

[@2CanChewBoo]

Your videos are always so enjoyable and interesting. Thank you.

[@kezkreations1313]

I recently got 6 isopods, one of them were gravid, I checked her today she wasn’t, I saw a little baby! I’m so exited

[@hatenayousei]

my extended family's house/my former house has so many isopods in the grass. I always found them so interesting (:

[@joeschmoe9130]

Man I love this channel. Your my favorite youtuber by far

[@KingFluffs]

I've built up a terrarium of a few hundred of these from about 30 specimens at the start. Over time different colour morphs show and I've got two that are almost full sandy yellow and a few with orange.

[@judgedred_d]

dante flipping over rocks looking for isopods: JACKPOT

[@dastatiks6182]

Thanks for the video ! These isopods are really cool :)

[@dannyocean7090]

You just made me fall in love with "Rolly Polies" and the other 200 names you called them lol. Im Going tomorrow and making a Rollie pollie tank.

[@DenMor1st]

Great show. I really enjoy it. 🇧🇴

[@Crystalspets]

I enjoy having my isopods collection

[@KooblyK]

Wow, they sure can play some mean piano. Such form!

[@LifeinJars]

They're great

[@tamarrajames3590]

I LOVED this!! Isopod rock, they are just so cute. Thank you.🖤🇨🇦

[@MorganMagpie]

When I was a little kid, I called them my little friends; three decades later, every time my sister seems one, she says, 'I found one of your little friends!' (Which was why my mum kept finding them in the house, because no matter how many adults are around, if a 3-5 year old wants to bring woodlice into the house, they will find a way. 😅)

[@gayefanner731]

I called them my little friends too! I was blessed cos I could always find them indoors by our french windows 🥰

[@edwinflores7867]

Hey Life in Jars, i was curious of having an isopod container......thing? And im not sure if I really want to go through the hassle of cleaning it ( i already have other animals that take my time for hours on end) so i was wondering if there was a way to avoid this or a way to do it fast. (I know you most likely will not respond because im just one of the hundreds watching this interesting videos) but thanks anyways

[@IMaqua]

Just add springtails. That's it.

[@_voidiance_2168]

Isopods are interesting to observe and to learn about. Thanks for another great video!

[@coolshsish]

love you videos!

[@LifeinJars]

Thank you!

[@coolshsish]

Life in Jars? your welcome!

[@ArcNeoMasato]

I really did not need to be reminded of those tongue replacers, so thanks for that :P I am really enjoying your channel though! I've always been interested in this kind of thing, but I'm too scatter brained to try taking care of things like this, so it's awesome to find a channel that does a variety of things.

[@coinslotsandjoysticks2572]

Your videos are awesome man. Love em

[@maiasangrealisback6520]

you are so gentle to them. :3

[@mandieanderton1800]

"Cos that's how an isopod do!!" Heheheeh! I heard your "bebehs" reference! Love your videos, going to try something with my children (not keep them in jars, tho!!)

[@jasminahaverinen5759]

Hey HUMAN. I am infact in love with isopod BEH BEZ now! And the adults, they are wonderful creatures 🤘🏼

[@christopheraustin5973]

Didn't want to close my eyes otherwise I would have feel asleep 😂

[@danielleb.7055]

You should just add springtails so you won't have to worry about changing the substrate you'll just have to add to it after a while. It may take a bit for the springtails to grow to the needed size but they will help with the mold issues. Also, you may want to add some different types of soils and substrates. I know that is what many if not all the who I have seen watched or read about keeping isopods and springtails and such. Just a suggestion from what I have learned by watching and reading. I have never heard of anyone just using coconut husk/fiber substrate. Anyway if it works it works,right? I think they are some of the coolest creatures ever and who would have known something so tiny ( well most of the terrestrial isopods) would be so awesome? Have a great night.

[@beacampos13]

thanks for making me smile 😄 such cute babies

[@LifeinJars]

Thanks for watching!

[@slavpepe6581]

Yeesss I love the isopod videos!

[@SherittaNesbitt]

I'm seriously considering starting a colony! My backyard is full of isopods and we are moving, and I'm irrationally concerned my new backyard will not have them for me to watch and enjoy. Your video sparked an idea I never would have had.

[@someoneyouknow525]

Adorable!

[@gayefanner731]

The Isopods aren’t bad either! ✌️

[@leatherDarkhorse]

"those lungs, you dirty animal." -LIJ 2020

[@kiki-drawer2669]

4:12 was so funny and unexpected it had me rolling💀

[@louiechidwick6034]

Hi mate, if you continue to have a problem with mould, then use an aquarium air pump and airline to blow fresh air low over the bark chippings, making sure you have an exit for the stale air. The addition of a screw control valve will allow you to control the air going in, and therefore control the humidity within. A slightly drier environment should reduce the mould without harming the Isopods. Louie :)

[@LifeinJars]

Thanks Louie!

[@breadfanta4607]

NOT MY IMAGINATION! YOU MONSTER! I can't unsee rolly polly mating.

[@bhutwheyttherismor86]

Been waiting for it to be nice so I can go get a starter colony of P. Muscorum. They are my favorite local variety and can have a neat orange morph.

[@bjarnes.4423]

I like your humor

[@jkenny1]

What kind of macro lens are you using now, the footage is coming out great. Keep up the great videos :)

[@LifeinJars]

The same one! I think it might look better because I could use a lot of light and not worry about the reflection in the glass.