Rainbow Isopod
Trachelipus rathkii
Rainbow isopods live in damp leaf litter, under logs, stones, and loose bark in temperate habitats. They are mostly active at night, feeding on decaying plant material, fungi, and other organic debris. Their segmented exoskeleton can show striking pink, blue, yellow, or violet coloration, though the colors vary greatly between individuals. Like other terrestrial isopods, they need humid shelter to keep their gill-like breathing structures from drying out.
- Type
- Shell
- Conservation status
- NE