pill bug
Ball-curling yard dweller
A pill bug is a small gray crustacean that lives in damp places under rocks, logs, and leaf litter.
Despite looking like an insect, it's more closely related to shrimp and crabs.
When disturbed, it rolls into a tight ball for protection—hence the name.
Also called a roly-poly or woodlouse.
Terrestrial isopod, gray-armored
- crustaceanAquatic arthropod with exoskeleton
- terrestrialRelating to land
- detritivoreEats dead organic material
- arthropodJointed-limb invertebrate phylum
exoskeleton · antennae · segmented · gills · molting · invertebrate · marsupium · sowbug
Spiral or loop form
- ballSpherical plaything or gala
- armorProtective combat covering
- rollList of names
- protectKeep from harm
shield · retract · compact · coil · tuck · encase · flex · spherical
Ground matter for planting
- mulchProtective plant bedding
- compostDecayed organic fertilizer
- decomposerOrganism breaking down corpses
- detritusLoose waste from decay
moisture · leaf litter · rotting wood · decay · earthworm · organic · ecosystem · flowerpot
woodlouse
Terrestrial isopod, gray-armored
- crustaceanAquatic arthropod with exoskeleton
- terrestrialRelating to land
- detritivoreEats dead organic material
arthropod · exoskeleton · antennae · segmented · gills · molting · invertebrate · marsupium · sowbug · slater
curl
Spiral or loop form
protect · shield · retract · compact · coil · tuck · encase · flex · spherical · reflex
soil
Ground matter for planting
- mulchProtective plant bedding
- compostDecayed organic fertilizer
- decomposerOrganism breaking down corpses
detritus · moisture · leaf litter · rotting wood · decay · earthworm · organic · ecosystem · flowerpot · greenhouse
roly-poly
Plump and round
catch · collect · hand · palm · observe · nature study · classroom · terrarium · gentle · fascinating