Blue Merle’s are the coolest of all the isopods. They change color! As they get close to molting their exoskeleton, they become a radiant blue. After they molt, they are a deep, dark purple. Blues have extremely soft shells. Carry them in your pocket habitat, take them to school, take them to work, they will be as snug as a bug... in your pocket. These require delicate handling while outside their habitat. This species do not curl into a ball when scared, they run, and they are the fastest isopods we have available. Blue Merle’s can grow to almost 1/2 inch long and live 3-4 years. They become sexually mature and start producing babies around 3-4 months old. Yours will be approximately 3-4 months old when shipped. Fast Producers prefer 75-85% humidity and temperatures between 70-85 degrees F but can tolerate temperatures as low as 40 degrees. They will eat just about anything organic including most vegetables, grains, and fish food. Do not overfeed or the uneaten food will attract fruit flys. Just like all isopods/rolies, Blue Merle’s get along well with other species of isopods/rolies. Shipping is a flat $10 per order no matter how many isopods or species ordered. While pictures typically represent the adult version of our pets, most items for sale are shipped as immature stages of the available species. Photos of outstanding adult specimens are typically used, not representing the actual specimen available for sale. Recommended for ages 8 .