How to Take Care of a Rolly Polly

Rolly Pollies, or pill bugs, are crustaceans that are part of the Isopod family of insects, commonly found living in moist areas underneath rocks, decaying wood, or in playground soil. They can live for up to two years and survive mostly on decaying matter like leaves, but can be fed other items like fresh vegetables, corrugated cardboard, or fish food. Because they're fairly innocuous insects and fairly easy to care for once their habitat is set up, they can make great pets for classrooms and children in general.

Things You'll Need

  • Fish tank or plastic tub
  • Soil
  • Leaves
  • Roly Polys
  • Bark, tufts of grass, leafy twigs, or a small pot
  • Small shells (optional)
  • Small paint brush
  • Ruler
  • Spray bottle
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Instructions

  1. How To Care for Roly Polys

    • 1

      Wash your fish tank or plastic tub.

    • 2
      Make sure to line your tank with soil that is pesticide and animal-waste free.

      Collect soil from an area that is pesticide and animal-waste free and line the bottom of your tub or fish tank anywhere from a 1/2 to 1 inch with the soil. You can add a ruler to the inside of the tank to measure the soil levels over time, as they will change with rolly polly waste output.

    • 3

      Place leaves, bark, grass, and other items in your tank that will serve to recreate the natural habitat of a rolly polly.

    • 4

      Moisten soil and habitat by misting or lightly watering the surface. As an alternative, you can water just half the tank so that rolly pollies ease into their own humidity comfort level. You should mist once a day after they get settled, because they could die if you allow the soil to dry completely. But make sure that the soil never becomes soggy.

    • 5

      Collect rolly pollies in a small cup-- if you like, use a small brush to help you scoop them up. Try looking under rocks, decaying wood, lawn ornaments, or around flower beds during the early morning hours, the late evening, or whenever grass has been freshly cut. Then, place them in the habitat you've created.

    • 6
      Though rolly pollies prefer decaying produce, they can eat fresh as well.

      Feed your rolly pollies soft decaying food like fruits vegetables, grass about once a week, and scatter around the habitat. You can also feed them fresh fruit and vegetables like carrots, squash, romaine lettuce, apples, potato skin, and zucchini skin. oatmeal, and fish food. Oatmeal, corrugated cardboard or egg cartons (with no print, and fish food are also things you can feed them if you run out of organic material. Remember to remove all uneaten food from your habitat before they start to grow mold.