How to Make a Habitat for a Rolly Poly

The common name rolly poly refers to an isopod called a pill bug. They are small, measuring around 0.6 inches in length. They are covered with leathery skin that is jointed like an armadillo. When threatened, pill bugs roll into tight balls to thwart potential predators. Pill bugs do not bite and make easy-to-care-for pets in classrooms or homes. They will also work well as live food for various fish, birds, reptiles, amphibians and predatory insects. With proper care, pill bugs can live for around five years.

Things You'll Need

  • Aquarium
  • Loam soil
  • Potted plants
  • Rotted log
  • Vegetable matter
  • Spray bottle
  • Screen lid
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Instructions

    • 1

      Clean the aquarium with hot water and vinegar. Avoid using chemicals like soap as they can leave harmful residue after rinsing.

    • 2

      Rinse the aquarium with clean water and allow it to dry thoroughly.

    • 3

      Fill the aquarium with four to six inches of loamy soil. Pill bugs like to crawl through the moist loam and eat the broken down organic debris.

    • 4

      Arrange your potted plants in an aesthetically pleasing manner. Tight groupings of pots nearly touching each other will give additional space for pill bugs to inhabit.

    • 5

      Hide most of the pots by burying then in the soil and hiding them behind pieces of wood.

    • 6

      Spray the soil with water until it is moistened. Make it feel like a well-wrung-out, damp sponge. Pill bugs like damp areas like those found beneath rotting logs and vegetation.

    • 7

      Add the pill bugs to the habitat. They will quickly hide beneath the plants and other decorations.

    • 8

      Add a screen lid to the tank to contain the pill bugs.

    • 9

      Spray the habitat occasionally with water to prevent it becoming dry.