Frequently Asked Questions

How do you ship live isopods?

Every order ships in an insulated box lined with damp paper towels for moisture, with gel packs added as needed for the weather. We ship Monday through Wednesday only via FedEx Priority Overnight at a flat $45. Orders of $400 or more ship free. Full details are on our Shipping & Live Arrival Guarantee page.

Do you guarantee live arrival?

Yes. We offer a 100% live arrival guarantee on all FedEx shipments. If there is a DOA, contact us within 2 hours of the delivery timestamp with photo or video proof and we will issue a replacement or store credit.

What temperatures do you ship in?

Our live arrival guarantee is valid when temperatures at both origin and destination are between 45°F and 85°F. Outside that range we ship to your nearest FedEx facility for pickup only. A climate controlled FedEx hub is far safer for your animals than a hot or cold porch, so we recommend Hold at Location year round unless you will be home to receive the package.

Do you ship to all 50 states?

We ship to the continental United States only. We do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.

How long does shipping take?

FedEx Priority Overnight arrives the next business day. Orders placed Monday through Wednesday ship the same week. Orders placed Thursday through Sunday ship the following Monday so your animals never sit in a warehouse over the weekend.

What is an overcount?

Every order includes extra animals beyond what you purchased to cover any potential losses during shipping. For example, a 10 count order may include 11 to 12 animals.

Are your isopods captive bred?

Yes. Every animal we sell is bred at our Southern California facility. Our isopods ship as adolescents to subadults, mixed sex, so you get a strong head start on a productive colony.

What do isopods eat?

Isopods are detritivores, meaning they eat decaying organic matter. Their primary diet is leaf litter and decaying hardwood. We recommend supplementing sparingly with protein sources like freeze dried shrimp, fish flakes, or bee pollen, occasional soft vegetables, and a calcium source like cuttlebone.

How do I set up an isopod enclosure?

A plastic shoebox tub with ventilation works great for a starter colony. Add 1 to 3 inches of organic substrate, a thick layer of hardwood leaf litter, decaying wood, cork bark hides, and cuttlebone for calcium. Keep one side moist and one side drier to create a humidity gradient, and add springtails as a cleanup crew. Check out our care guides on the blog for species specific setups.