Description
Maple Leaves
Maple leaves are a favorite treat for Isopods!
They are much thinner than other popular leaves such as Oak Leaves, and will break down in a humid terrarium much faster.
Due to their super delicate nature when dry, they break very easily when packaging, as such we don’t expect them to remain whole or be as ascetically pleasing as other leaves in a terrarium. (Expect lots of broken, crumbly leaves in a bag)
HOWEVER Isopods absolutely love them as a tasty treat. They don’t care what they look like, and will readily chow down on a pile of Maple Leaves.
Using Maple Leaves For Feeding Isopods
We find that a mix of Maple Leaves and Oak leaves, layered with isopod substrate in a bin or tote give the best results. – Think of it, like layering a lasagna. (An isopod lasagna!!)
The isopods will break down all the leaves and reproduce very quickly.
Add more leaves on top as you see them breaking them down.
How To Use Maple Leaves In A Terrarium
Leaf litter not only helps with providing a naturalistic appearance, the leaves also provide hiding spots for animals such as dart frogs and small reptiles. Even snakes will enjoy hiding under the leaves.
Simply place a handful of maple leaves into pile in your vivarium or terrarium. Periodically “fluff” up the pile to help keep it airy so that frogs and other reptiles can easily forage for springtails or to hide in.
In the forest, the leaf litter may be several inches thick. Typically, in a naturalistic or bioactive terrarium, you want to have the leaves at least a few layers deep and you should routinely add leaves as you see them decomposing.
There is no need to remove maple leaves from your vivarium, as they will naturally decompose and be eaten by springtails and isopods and other micro fauna. Add more as leaves as needed.
How To Clean And Sanitize Oak Leaves For A Terrarium
We bake all the leaves to dry them out and eliminate any hitchhiking pests before packaging, however you may wish to further sanitize them before adding the leaves to a terrarium.
While you can simply rinse your leaves before using them, it is recommended that you also sterilize your maple leaves prior to using them in a terrarium or feeding to isopods. To achieve this, you can microwave damp leaves for 1-2 minute, or boil leaves for approximately 5 minutes, or bake damp/wet leaves at 210 °F for approximately 15-20 minutes.
Our preferences to rinse them in the sink to remove any debris on them, then bake in the oven for approx. 15 min. to dry them out so they are fluffy when adding to a terrarium.
*Due to nature of harvesting, each package may contain small amounts of grass clippings, acorns, seeds and occasionally other leaves. (All are safe to add to a bioactive terrarium)
Maple Leaves are available for sale and shipping within Canada, or pick up in Calgary by appointment
