Isopod

Isopoda Temporal range: Carboniferous (300 - 0 Ma)
Eurydice pulchra (Cirolanidae)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Subphylum:	Crustacea
Class:	Malacostraca
Subclass:	Eumalacostraca
Superorder:	Peracarida
Order:	Isopoda Latreille, 1817
Suborders
Asellota Calabozoida Cymothoida Limnoriidea Microcerberidea Oniscidea Phoratopidea Phreatoicidea Sphaeromatidea Tainisopidea Valvifera

Isopods are an order of peracarid crustaceans, including familiar animals such as woodlice and pill bugs. The name Isopoda derives from the Greek roots (iso-, meaning "same") and (podos, meaning "foot").

Description

Isopods can grow up to half an inch. They are usually gray or brown or black, with an oval-shaped body. They have seven armor plates, called "pereonites," which protect them. They also have seven pairs of short legs. Isopods have two pairs of antennae; one pair feels along the ground.

Isopods have gills and need water to breathe. Since they live on land, and not in the water, Isopods must stay in moist places.