Woodlouse so common in the countryside, let's learn from them how to protect ourselves.

Children love cycling, skateboarding, rollerblading, what can they use to be able to do it safely?

When we are cold, what position do we adopt?

We can learn from nature how it protects itself from threats, extreme temperatures and even being swallowed by a predator.

1. Activity: "Looking for the Woodlouse".

2. Observe various animals with spherical shapes such as: snails or Woodlouse , which are easy to find. You can also look for sea urchins.

Several images that can be explored:

Let's look at an everyday object that protects us: the helmet, knee pads, igloos.

Materials required:

• A snail shell

• A heat source

• A thermometer

How to do it:

1. Place a thermometer inside a shell (snail or conch or any other spherical structure) and record the outside and inside temperature every 2 minutes.

2. Compare the temperature after heating, outside and inside.

Alternative:

Put an ice cube inside the shell and an ice cube outside the shell. Check which one takes longer to melt.

Materials:

• 2 potatoes with the same mass (one spherical and one elongated)

• 2 thermometers

• Microwave oven

"The Woodlouse is a terrestrial crustacean, which is characterized by having 7 pairs of identical legs, 2 pairs of antennae (one of them smaller) and 1 pair of sensory appendages at the end of the abdomen. Adults can reach 1.8 cm in length and are grey or brown.

They are animals that live in humid environments and are active during the night, thus avoiding exposure to the sun. During the day they can be found under rocks or fallen tree trunks.

They feed on dead leaves and decaying organic matter and are therefore important insectivores.

When they feel threatened they curl their body into a ball. This strategy is also adopted to prevent water loss through evaporation.

This species occurs in different habitats, such as gardens, agricultural areas, forests, woodlands, etc.

In Portugal they are common, with a wide distribution throughout the national territory."

Source: https://www.cienciaviva.pt/aprenderforadasaladeaula/index.asp?accao=showobj&id_obj=1556