Sandhopper

admin — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 16:11:06 +0000

The Sandhopper is a small land crustacean that is also known as the Sand Flea or the Beach Flea. It has the name ‘Sandhopper’ because it hops or leaps on the sand when it is disturbed. It can hop up to a distance of around twenty centimetres. Sometimes it hops onto people’s feet and ankles and bites them.

The Sandhopper looks almost shrimp-like in shape and is about one and half to two centimetres in length. It is a brownish grey colour and has a long arched body that has seven segments. Its tail-end is often tucked under its body, but the Sandhopper has to ‘untuck’ its tail and flick it out very quickly when it wants to hop. It has two pairs of antennae on the front of its head. One pair is quite long and the other pair is quite short. It also has two large round black eyes.

During the day Sandhoppers hide under the sand as deep as ten to thirty centimetres and emerge early evening and at night. They can often be seen in large groups on the sand, especially where seaweed has been washed up on the shore. Sandhoppers feed on decaying seaweed or decaying algae.

Woodlouse (Common)

admin — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 16:11:53 +0000

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.

Land Crustaceans

Sandhopper

Woodlouse (Common)