Fauna
Invertebrate · GBIF taxon 2203611

Common Pill Woodlouse

Armadillidium vulgare

Also known as Roly-poly, Potato Bug, Slater, Doodlebug

Common pill woodlice are terrestrial crustaceans famous for their ability to roll into a seamless, protective ball when threatened or at risk of drying out. They spend their days hidden under damp rocks, rotting wood, and leaf litter, surfacing primarily at night to feed on decaying organic matter. Their copper-based blood carries oxygen through specialized gills that require high humidity to function properly.

Terrestrial IsopodDetritivoreNocturnal
Common Pill Woodlouse reference1 / 7
Licensed reference(c) Thomas Dalley, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Thomas Dalley · cc-by
—observations
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Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Leaf Litter
  • Decaying Wood
  • Fungi
Predators
  • Woodlouse Spider
  • Centipedes
  • Toads
ThreatsPesticide applications, habitat desiccation, and soil contamination
HabitatsGardens, forests, grasslands, leaf litter, and under rocks or logs
Life span2–3 years
Classification
  1. OrderIsopoda
  2. FamilyArmadillidiidae
  3. GenusArmadillidium
  4. SpeciesArmadillidium vulgare
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Harmless to humans and safe to observe at close range.
Responsible observation
  • Lift rocks gently: Carefully tilt logs or stones, replacing them right away to preserve humidity.
  • Handle with care: Let them crawl onto an open palm without squeezing their soft undersides.
  • Maintain moisture: Avoid keeping them out in warm dry air, as they dehydrate very rapidly.
Related species
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