| Binomial Name | Cubaris sp |
| Common Name | Panda King |
| Size | Small-Medium |
| Personality | Cute, Shy, Loves Food |
| Temp Preference | 60-85º F |
| Humidity | Med-High |
| Rarity | Sought After |
| Care | Fact Sheet |
Meet the Panda King Isopod
Named for its prevalant black and white markings, the Panda King is a smaller variety of Cubaris. It is an excellent producer and thrives quite easily, being one of the simpler Cubaris to keep.
They will thrive in a high humidity environment with lots of damp areas. Once established, this species will make great cleaners, live feeders, and as pets!
This species has a tendency to be active throughout the day and are entertaining to watch. A mid-size isopod that makes a great option for wet and semi aquatic bioactive enclosures.
These isopods are a smaller variety of Cubaris. They tend to really enjoy digging, and burrowing into the substrate. This allows for great aeration of soil. The Panda Kind isopod does well in swampy and wet enclosures as long as they ahev a dry place to go.
Panda isopods have an interesting reproductive strategy. They are ovoviviparous, meaning the females carry their developing eggs in a brood pouch known as the marsupium until the offspring are fully developed. This provides protection to the developing young, increasing their chances of survival in the harsh environment. Once the offspring are ready to face the world, they emerge from the marsupium as fully-formed miniature adults, or BABY PANDAS!!
A Rare and Cute Friend
These isopods are so exciting to keep as pets and watch in the enclosures. We really enjoy wating them grow, and unlike some other species of isopod, their young actually resemble the adult form! So they really do look like little cute tiny baby pandas!
Environmental Role
Despite their tiny size, Panda isopods play a significant role in maintaining ecological balance within their habitats. As detritivores, they contribute to nutrient cycling by consuming decaying plant matter and detritus.
By breaking down organic material, they facilitate the decomposition process, releasing nutrients back into the soil and making them available for other organisms to use. This crucial ecosystem service ensures the health of the environment and sustains the productivity of various plant species.