Isopod

Isopod information and facts:

Latin name: Isopoda
Type: fish
Diet: omnivore
Average lifespan: The life span of the Isopod is only a few years. 3 to 4 years max.
Size: Most isopods are small, less than 1⁄2 in. (1.27 cm)
Group name: Group

Isopods are also known as pillbugs. Isopods can roll into a tiny grey ball that looks just like a pill. They can live in almost any environment. There are about ten thousand species of isopods. Isopods are crustaceans; they are the distant relatives of crabs and shrimps. Fossil records suggest that the isopod group existed at least 300 million years ago.

Deep Sea Isopod video.

What does an isopod look like?

Isopods usually have a black or brown colored body; although their color can vary greatly depending on the region they are found. Their body is an oval shaped figure. Isopods have seven armor plates that protect their insides. They have two pairs of antennae on their head. Isopods have compound eyes and four sets of jaws.

Where does the Isopod live?

Isopods live in damp places because they breathe through some sort of gills. However isopods cannot survive in water. They mainly live under rocks, leaves or logs and are found in forests, basements, lakes, rivers, streams, underground waters, thermal springs, meadows and gardens.

What does an isopod eat?

Isopods are omnivores they feed on dead decaying plants, fungi and animals. Some isopods are known to eat live plants. Some isopod burrowers have strong jaws and can chew trough wood.

What are the natural predators of the isopods?

Isopods have many predators like; spiders, toads, frogs, newts, lizards, small owls, foxes, centipedes, harvestmen, beetles, and even other isopods. When attacked they will roll into a ball to protect themselves.

Did you know about these isopod facts?

Iso is Greek for "similar or equal." Pod means "foot." Put them together and you have the isopod, an organism that has an equal number of feet or legs on both sides with all legs similar to one another.
Isopods have 14 legs that all function in the same way.
In the wild, isopods are not usually seen out and about. They are members of that large category of animals known descriptively (not taxonomically) as cryptozoa, or hidden animals.
If an isopod is sick it will turn blue.