Isopods vs 
Millipede: Which Pet Should You Get?
Torn between an isopod colony and a millipede? Here's an honest side-by-side look at cost, care time, space, and kid-friendliness — using the same data that powers our pet quiz.
Quick answer: For most families, an isopod colony is the easier choice — it costs less per month and is more kid-friendly. Pick a millipede if you want a longer-lived companion. Neither is better overall — it comes down to your family's space, time, and budget.
| Isopods | Millipede | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $3–$10/mo covers all 10 · one habitat ✓ | $8–$18/mo |
| Space needed | Small space | Small space |
| Daily time | A little | A little |
| Cuddle factor | Some cuddles | Some cuddles |
| Handling | Gentle, supervised handling | Gentle, supervised handling |
| Awake when | Night owl | Night owl |
| Company | Needs a friend | Fine alone or paired |
| Experience needed | Great first pet | Great first pet |
| Lifespan | 1–3 years (the colony renews itself) | 5–10 years |
| Kid-friendly | ★★★★☆ ✓ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Allergy-friendly | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
👯 Isopods need at least 10, but they share one habitat, so the monthly figure already covers the group. The ✓ above compares the cost of keeping each pet the way it should be kept.
Choose an isopod colony if…
- you want the lower monthly cost (about $3–$10 vs $8–$18)
- younger kids will help with care (4/5 vs 3/5 kid-friendly)
- you'd rather start with a shorter time commitment (1–3 years (the colony renews itself) vs 5–10 years)
Choose a millipede if…
- you'd rather care for one animal than the 10 a isopods needs
- you want a friend who'll be around for years (5–10 years vs 1–3 years (the colony renews itself))
Isopods at a glance
Isopods — the fancy cousins of the backyard rolly-polly — are one of the cheapest, easiest pets there is, and collecting the colorful kinds (orange, zebra-striped, even "rubber ducky") has become a real hobby. They live in a shoebox-sized bin, eat fallen leaves and veggie scraps, can't bite or sting, and quietly multiply into a busy little colony you can watch and gently hold.
Millipede at a glance
Millipedes — including the popular giant desert and African millipedes — are calm, slow, low-cost pets that gently curl around your fingers. They burrow, munch decaying leaves, and ask very little. A wonderful, low-stress first "bug" for gentle kids (with hand-washing). One quick check before you buy: importing giant millipedes into the US needs a federal permit, so buy from a seller here at home and check your local rules.
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