Fauna
Invertebrate

Common Shiny Woodlouse

Oniscus asellus

Also known as Common Woodlouse, Shiny Woodlouse

Common shiny woodlice thrive in cool, humid microclimates where they graze quietly under decaying logs, stones, and garden compost. Lacking a waterproof waxy cuticle, they lose water rapidly in dry air and rely on nocturnal habits and aggregation behaviors to conserve vital moisture. Females carry developing young in a fluid-filled brood pouch called a marsupium until the miniature juveniles are ready to disperse.

DetritivoreNocturnalCrustacean
Common Shiny Woodlouse reference1 / 7
(c) Katja Schulz, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyDecaying Wood, Fallen Leaves, Fungi
Predators
  • Woodlouse Spider
  • Centipedes
  • Ground Beetles
ThreatsSevere drought, habitat clearance, and heavy pesticide use
HabitatsDeciduous woodlands, gardens, rock piles, compost heaps, and damp basements
Life span2–4 years
Classification
  1. OrderIsopoda
  2. FamilyOniscidae
  3. GenusOniscus
  4. SpeciesOniscus asellus
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
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Locating: Look under damp logs, decaying bark, garden planters, and stepping stones in shaded areas.
  • Handling: Let them crawl gently onto an open hand rather than pinching their fragile carapace.
  • Habitat Care: Carefully replace overturned logs or rocks to keep the sheltered microclimate moist.
Related species
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