Call them pill bugs, sow bugs, roly-polies or whatever else you want to call them, but one thing is true about woodlice: they’re not insects.  Actually they’re isopods, a type of crustacean.  They’re related to shrimps, crabs and lobsters.

This woodlouse is Porcellionides pruinosus.  I found the little critter scampering across my patio fence.  Poor thing.  Though it might not be obvious in these photos, I’d say this woodlouse got beat up.  It was missing several pieces and parts.  Still, it seemed to be doing just fine because it ran along the fence at great speed

With the weather turning much cooler today, I’m sure it already found a new spot where it can stay cozy for a few days.  Amazing how much life jumps at the opportunity to move about as soon the sun comes out or temperatures climb above freezing…