
Community identification
Woodlouse (specifically Common Woodlouse)
Oniscus asellus
- Order & Family
- Order Isopoda; Family Oniscidae
- Size
- Up to 16 mm in length
Natural Habitat
Moist, dark environments such as under rocks, logs, leaf litter, and occasionally damp indoor basements.
Diet & Feeding
Detritivore; eats decaying organic matter, fungi, and rotting vegetation.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal; they require moisture to breathe through gill-like structures and will congregate in damp areas to avoid dehydration.
Risks & Benefits
Harmless to humans; they benefit the ecosystem by breaking down organic matter and recycling nutrients back into the soil.