#842: Woodlouse

Woodlice are isopodic, (mostly) terrestrial crustaceans with many names, including slaters (which is what we always used to call them, here in NZ) and pill bugs. The latter cames from the ability of some species to roll themselves up into a protective ball when threatened. This fine speciman is a rosy woodlouse, her species ranges from the British Isles to North Africa. The female woodlouse carries her eggs in a special pouch on her underside. These hatch into white, miniature versions of the adult. She is generally found in damp, dark places where she feeds on decaying plant matter.