# Rathke's Woodlouse (*trachelipus rathkii*) Rathke's Woodlouse is a tiny creature that loves to hide under rocks and leaves! These little critters help keep the environment clean by eating decaying plants. - **Category:** [Invertebrate](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/invertebrate) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger - **Snaps:** 12 - **Habitat:** They live in moist environments like forests, gardens, and under rocks. - **Also known as:** Pill Bug, Rolly Polly ![Rathke's Woodlouse](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Trachelipus_rathkii1.jpg&width=800) Photo: USGS Native Bee Inventory and Monitoring Laboratory, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Trachelipus_rathkii1.jpg) ## Appearance The Rathke'S Woodlouse has an oval, flattened body, typically grey to brown with a slightly mottled pattern and sometimes a faint pale stripe down its back. Its robust, segmented exoskeleton gives it a duller, less glossy look compared to some relatives, and it has distinctive antennae. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Malacostraca - **Order:** Isopoda - **Family:** Trachelipodidae - **Genus:** Trachelipus ## Interesting facts - Rathke's Woodlice are crustaceans, closer relatives to lobsters than insects! - They break down dead leaves and plants, recycling nutrients back into the soil! - They shed their outer skin in two halves, first the back, then the front! - Woodlice don't pee; they release ammonia gas directly through their exoskeletons! ## Special abilities - **Humidity Detector:** Rathke'S Woodlouse can sense tiny changes in air moisture because of special antennae, which helps them find damp, safe places to live. - **Gilled Breather:** Rathke'S Woodlouse breathes using tiny gill-like structures that help them absorb oxygen directly from moist air. - **Brood Pouch Protector:** Rathke'S Woodlouse females carry their eggs and young in a special pouch under their body, protecting them until they hatch. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 12 mm - **Weight:** 100 mg - **Lifespan:** 2 years - **Leg Count:** 14 - **Speed Cm Per Sec:** 1 C ## Diet & Feeding These tiny recyclers munch on dead plants and organic matter, returning nutrients to the soil. - **Primary Foods:** Decaying leaves, Rotting wood, Fungi, Algae, Plant debris - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Wolf Spider (*Pardosa amentata*) — Common wolf spiders often hunt Rathke'S Woodlouse. - **Hunts:** Common Centipede (*Lithobius forficatus*) — Centipedes actively pursue and eat woodlice. - **Eaten by:** Blackbird (*Turdus merula*) — Blackbirds forage for them amongst leaf litter. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Burrowing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/burrowing): Burrowing animals dig tunnels and chambers in the ground, using these subterranean structures for shelter, hunting, or breeding. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Decomposer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/decomposer): Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Invertebrates](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/invertebrates) ## Safety **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Rathke's Woodlouse? Compare body symmetry, shells, segments, legs, tentacles and how the animal moves. Invertebrates span many unrelated groups, so start with body structure. Invertebrate Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Rathke's Woodlouse? 12 mm ### How much does Rathke's Woodlouse weigh? 100 mg ### How long does Rathke's Woodlouse live? 2 years ### What does Rathke's Woodlouse eat? These tiny recyclers munch on dead plants and organic matter, returning nutrients to the soil. ### Where is Rathke's Woodlouse usually found? They live in moist environments like forests, gardens, and under rocks. ### How does Rathke's Woodlouse hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does Rathke's Woodlouse have? 14 ## Where to spot - [Bean Hill Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bean-hill-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District - [Chelsea Parade Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chelsea-parade-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District - [Lake Missoula](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lake-missoula) — Montana, US · Natural Landmark - [Roosevelt Park Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/roosevelt-park-zoo) — North Dakota, US · Zoo - [Downtown Norwich Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/downtown-norwich-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District - [Greeneville](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/greeneville) — Connecticut, US · Historic District [View all places to see Rathke's Woodlouse](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/rathkes-woodlouse) ## More Invertebrate - [Coral](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coral) - [Crab Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/crab-spider) (*Mecaphesa asperata*) - [Garden Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/garden-spider) (*Araneus diadematus*) - [Brown Recluse Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-recluse-spider) (*Loxosceles reclusa*) --- Source: [Rathke's Woodlouse: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rathkes-woodlouse)