The Common Woodlouse is also known as the Sowbug. It is a crustacean that lives on land, unlike other crustaceans such as the crab and the lobster that live in the sea. It can be found in damp places under stones and logs, in wall crevices and in compost heaps. It can often be seen in gardens and sometimes in houses.

The Common Woodlouse is about one and a half centimetres in length and has a brownish black shiny body with lighter markings. It has an oval-shaped body with thirteen overlapping armour-like plates. These plates make the woodlouse look like it is wearing a suit of armour. It has fourteen walking legs and two pointed tails called ‘uropods’ at the end of its body to help it to navigate. It also has two long antennae on the front of its head.  The antennae help the Common Woodlouse to feel its way in dark places.

The female Common Woodlouse carries her eggs in a fluid-filled pouch under her body. The young hatch out in the pouch and when they are first born they only have twelve legs. The young stay in the pouch until they are fully-developed. Woodlice feed on dead plant and animal matter, as well as rotting wood.