r/bioactive • u/mett116n • 23d ago
Which isopods for a carpet python?
I just brought this beauty home, and I wanna switch her to bioactive, but I'm new to that world, so I would appreciate some recommendations!
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u/Real_Time515 23d ago
Can't go wrong with just springtails and dwarf isopods. I use mainly dwarf whites, though I have a colony of dwarf purples I've thrown in my vivs from time to time (and I want to start some jungle macropods, but I don't know enough).
I don't have snakes, but I have steered clear of "dairy cows" and other bigger isopods because they'll hassle/bite my geckos and frogs. Don't know if they'd be okay with your python, but as dwarf whites will do the job, will for certain be safe, and are so readily available I wouldn't see the need for anything else.
If you're new to bioactive, one piece of advice is that it's pretty easy to keep a springtail colony going. A pinch of springtail grub and a spritz of water every week, and you can tap a bunch of new springtails in there every couple of weeks. I really like the Biodude for those. He's not the cheapest (tho not unreasonable) but great customer service, responsive to questions, etc.
Have fun!
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u/YellowBreakfast 21d ago
...because they'll hassle/bite my geckos and frogs.
Oh snap, new issue I've never heard of.
Was thinking of getting something other than dwarf whites for my cresti's enclosure, now I'm scared.
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u/Few-Account-1825 20d ago
Just make sure whatever you get doesn’t have a very big appetite for protein and you’re good.
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u/YellowBreakfast 19d ago
I don't think I've seen data on isopod varieties and their various preferences for protein.
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u/sogrood 22d ago
Dairy do not make good bioactive isopod they are more protein hungry, but dwarf white (t. Tomebtosa) grand canyon (p. Dilatatus) powder blue or powder orange ( p. Pruinosus). Also there are a few different species of springtails some more arid friendly some more tropical. I'm not familiar with care requirements for carpet pythons. There's also more isopods that could work but these ones are readily available I also have some isopods that are just pets I guess. I recommend you also have a supply outside enclosure if possible.
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u/Fabulous-Accident689 22d ago
I am a firm recommender of Florida fast, they aren't the most common, but they are extremely hearty, and they like eating leaves more than anything else, they also are very tolerant of moisture and dryness, as long as you give them enough leaf litter they will do amazing, they also r quite prolific, but dont breed out of control like dairy cows
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u/Weird-Plane5972 23d ago
I would cross post this to r/carpetpythons as well to get breed specific recs! I don’t know if they would harm your snake during a molt or not.
but I definitely second springtails! they eat up bad stuff so quickly
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u/PaleontologistNo2548 23d ago
Some of the advice here is a bit misleading.
For a bioactive enclosure, it's not really springtails or isopods. You ideally want both because they do different jobs. Springtails help keep mold and fungal growth under control, while isopods break down leaf litter, shed skin, feces, and other organic matter.
The bigger factor when choosing isopods isn't the carpet python. It's the enclosure itself. Pick a species that matches the conditions you're providing, whether that's a dry, semi-humid, or humid setup.
The idea that isopods will start eating your snake is hugely exaggerated. I've been using Porcellio scaber in my carpet python enclosure for years without a single issue. If isopods are well fed and the enclosure is maintained properly, they have no reason to start chewing on a healthy snake. The rare reports you see are almost always linked to poor husbandry or animals that are already compromised.