About Porcellio hoffmannseggii Brandt, 1833
Porcellio hoffmannseggii Brandt, 1833 is one of the largest known terrestrial isopod species. Adult individuals can grow to over 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) in length. Their bodies are typically dark grey or black, with a thin white border along the outer edge of the body. Males of this species have longer uropods than females. Four subspecies of Porcellio hoffmannseggii have currently been identified. This species is native to Portugal, southern Spain, and northern Morocco; it is especially common in the Oued Laou region of northeastern Morocco, relative to the distribution of other isopod species found in Morocco. When kept in captivity, Porcellio hoffmannseggii prefers drier environments than other species in the genus Porcellio. Unlike many other isopods commonly called pillbugs, this species cannot conglobate (roll into a ball). Adult individuals have been observed guarding their young after the young are born. For an isopod, this species is highly territorial, a trait that makes culturing it in captivity more difficult.
