Woodlouse

Woodlice are terrestrial isopods in the suborder Oniscidea, taking their name from being often found in old wood; despite the name they are neither parasitic nor insects. Other common names include slater, sow bug and wood pig, varying widely by region. They are primarily detritivorous, contributing to the humification process by breaking down litter, and their basic body plan is a segmented, dorso-ventrally flattened form with seven pairs of jointed legs; some species, in families such as Armadillidae and Armadillidiidae, can roll into a roughly spherical shape as a defensive mechanism or to conserve moisture.