Sowbug ( Crustacean )

Description:

Phylum: Arthopoda Class: Malacostraca Order: Isopoda Family: Oniscidae Isopoda, is an order ( group ) of crustaceans, that include woodlice, sea slaters, and there relatives. Isopods, live in the sea, in fresh water, or on land. They have rigid exoskeletons ( external skeletons ). They have two pairs of antennae, seven pairs of jointed legs on the thorax, and five pairs of branching appendages on the abdomen, that are used in respiration. Females brood there young in a pouch, under the thorax. Isopods, are omnivores or scavengers, feeding on dead or decaying plants or animals. Some may eat live plants. There body is divided into three sections: head, thorax, and an abdomen. They have a pair of appendages, at the end of there abdomen, called uropods. Sowbugs are wingless. Sowbugs, are covered with armor like plates. Sowbugs, are crustaceans that live on land, yet breathe through gills. Sowbugs, will play dead, or run away when disturbed. Sowbugs, go through incomplete metamorphosis. Sowbugs, are flat, oval creatures. They are about 1 cm. long. They have a pair of weak jaws. They usually feed at night, and hide during the day. Like many crustaceans, Sowbugs have two pairs of antennae, but one pair is tiny. Sowbugs, are land living crustaceans. Sowbugs, all have tails ( uropods ) that extend beyond there last abdominal segment. It had two, long, segmented antennae. It had seven pairs of segmented legs. It's color, was dark purple or black. It had paired appendages at the end of its abdomen, called uropods. It did not have any wings. It was alive, and able to move.

Habitat:

Isopods, breathe with gills, so they are restricted to areas with high humidity, under rocks or logs, in leaf litter, or in crevices. I saw this small crustacean, resting on a concrete wall, on the outside of my house.

Notes:

I went outside at 10:30 a.m. in the morning. I saw this small crustacean, resting on a concrete wall, on the outside of my house. It had two, long, segmented antennae. It had seven pairs of segmented legs. It's color was a dark purple or black. It had paired appendages, at the end of its abdomen, called uropods. It did not have any wings. It was alive, and able to move.