All About Isopods By: Nikhil Khot

The Life of an Isopod When a female isopod lays its eggs, it carries them in a pouch called the marsupium. When the isopods hatch, they stay in the pouch until they are old enough to leave and be on their own. Then they live for about 3-4 years and grow up to half an inch. Their home must be a damp or moist area. They live under rocks, logs, leaves and other damp areas. They can also be found in forests, meadows and sometimes basements. They are nocturnal, so they find food and a home at night. egg newly hatched leaving marsupium lays eggs

Predators and Prey Isopods have many predators, which includes ants, spiders, shrews, toads, frogs, newts, lizards, small owls, foxes, centipedes, beetles and even other isopods. Their ability to roll into a ball helps defend themselves until the predator gives up and goes away. Isopods eat fungi, decaying plant matter, young plant matter and sometimes dead animal matter or other isopods. isopodspredators prey

What Does An Isopod Look Like? Isopods are crustaceans, so they have gills to breath. They have two antennae, seven armor plates called pereonites, and seven pairs of legs. They are usually gray, brown, or black in color and they can grow up to half an inch. Female isopods have a pouch called a marsupium where they keep their eggs, and where young isopods stay until they are old enough to be on their own. pereonites Seven pairs of legs antennae

z The End! Any questions?