Crustaceans

Woodlice (Slater)

Creative Commons - credit Martin Cooper

In Scotland the woodlouse is known as a slater. There are more than 30 species in Britain and woodlice are found (now) on every continent except Antarctica. They are terrestrial Crustaceans and dry out easily as they don’t have a waxy layer in their cuticle. Most Crustacea live in water.

In evolutionary terms they emerged from the water in the Carboniferous period Now some species such as the sea slater have returned to water.

The female has a pouch into which it lays its eggs and they hatch there to be provided with oxygen and nutrient. The female stays with the young for some time after they are born.