Porcellio Bolivari 'Yellow Ghost'

Porcellio bolivari ‘Yellow Ghost’ is a striking and highly sought-after Spanish isopod, known for its large size, broad flattened body and distinctive pale coloration. The body ranges from creamy white to pale yellow, often contrasted by a more intense yellow marking along the back, giving this impressive species its ghostly appearance.

Native to south-eastern Spain, including the provinces of Alicante, Murcia and Valencia, P. bolivari is associated with dry Mediterranean habitats and is one of the larger species in the Porcellio genus, with adults commonly reaching around 2–3 cm. Its elongated body and prominent tail appendages give it a particularly distinctive profile.

This is primarily a nocturnal species, becoming most active during the evening and early morning. During the day it will generally retreat beneath bark, leaf litter and other cover, making suitable hiding places an important part of its enclosure.

Porcellio bolivari ‘Yellow Ghost’ prefers a relatively dry enclosure with good ventilation and a clear moisture gradient. They do particularly well with a thick layer of dry leaf litter, which provides both food and cover while allowing them to move deeper into or closer to the surface of the leaf litter to regulate their moisture levels and microclimate. A consistently damp retreat should still be available so the colony can access moisture when required, particularly during moulting.

The combination of impressive size, unusual coloration and distinctive body shape makes the Yellow Ghost an excellent choice for keepers looking for something genuinely different from the more common isopod species.