Who knew woodlice have square poo?

I have become very invested in the humble woodlouse this week. They have always made my skin crawl when I find them lurking under a log, or even more so if they’re on the bench I’m sitting on!

On Monday, I read an article that said they have square poo! Suddenly, I needed to know more about these creatures. It was a joy to share today at school. The collective noun for a woodlouse is a quabble. They are a crustacean, related to shrimps, crabs and lobster.

They have adapted to live on land. They breathe through gills in their legs, of which they have 7 pairs (14). The are also a marsupium, so, just like kangaroos, they carry their babies in a pouch.

They poo square poo which is rich in copper, so they eat it. Who knew? Every day really is a school day!