Common Rough Woodlouse

porcellio scaber

The Common Rough Woodlouse is a tiny creature that looks like a little armored bug! It loves to hide under rocks and in damp places, where it can scurry around safely.

Habitat: Common Rough Woodlice are often found in gardens, forests, and under logs or stones.

Appearance

The Common Rough Woodlouse is a small, oval-shaped crustacean with a distinctly bumpy, greyish-brown segmented body. It has seven pairs of legs and two visible antennae, making its textured back different from smoother woodlice.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassMalacostracaOrderIsopodaFamilyPorcellionidaeGenusPorcellio
Common Rough Woodlouse
social trait badgeburrowing trait badgeherbivorous trait badgedecomposer trait badge
Common Rough Woodlouse

Category

Invertebrate

Rarity

Common

Danger

0/5 · No known danger

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

Female woodlice carry their babies in a special pouch, just like a kangaroo!

They are crustaceans, related to crabs and lobsters, not insects!

They can survive for months without food if conditions are just right!

Woodlice drink water by sucking it up through their rear end, like a tiny straw!

Special abilities

Ability

Armored Back

Common Rough Woodlouse has a tough, segmented exoskeleton that helps protect it from drying out and hungry predators.

Ability

Chemical Defender

Common Rough Woodlouse can release a foul-tasting liquid because it's stored in glands, deterring predators with a bad flavor.

Ability

Moisture Magnet

Common Rough Woodlouse can detect humidity changes because specialized sensors help them find damp, dark places to survive.

Measurements & details

Length
1.7 cm
Weight
0.1 g
Lifespan
3 years
Clutch Size
50

Diet & Feeding

These tiny recyclers munch on decaying plants and fungi, helping to clean up the environment!

Primary Foods

  • decaying leaves
  • rotting wood
  • fungi
  • dead insects
  • algae

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

hunts

Woodlouse Spider

Dysdera crocata

This spider hunts woodlice specifically with its large fangs.

hunts

Common Centipede

Lithobius forficatus

A speedy predator that ambushes woodlice in damp places.

eaten by

Common Toad

Bufo bufo

An opportunistic amphibian predator that often dines on woodlice.

eaten by

Common Shrew

Sorex araneus

A small mammal that forages for invertebrates like woodlice.

Traits

Also known as

Armored BugCommon PillbugRough WoodlouseWood Bug

Collections

Safety

Danger

0/5 · No known danger

No special safety notes yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Common Rough Woodlouse?

1.7 cm

How much does Common Rough Woodlouse weigh?

0.1 g

How long does Common Rough Woodlouse live?

3 years

What does Common Rough Woodlouse eat?

These tiny recyclers munch on decaying plants and fungi, helping to clean up the environment!

Where is Common Rough Woodlouse usually found?

Common Rough Woodlice are often found in gardens, forests, and under logs or stones.

How does Common Rough Woodlouse hunt?

Foraging

How many eggs does Common Rough Woodlouse lay?

50

Snap Map

Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.

Loading map…

Recent Snaps

Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.

Where to spot

More Invertebrate