What essential mineral must woodlice actively supplement their diet with for exoskeleton maintenance?
Answer
Calcium
Calcium is an absolutely essential element required by woodlice specifically for the maintenance and hardening of their exoskeleton. Since they grow by shedding their outer shell through molting cycles, a continuous supply of readily available calcium is critical for their survival and successful development. While some calcium might be incidentally ingested through decaying matter that has passed through other organisms, keepers of captive cultures must actively supplement this requirement, often using sources like cuttlebone or crushed eggshells, because this mineral maintenance is paramount to colony health, especially in high-humidity environments where molting occurs more frequently.
Related Questions
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