| Living Materials
Information
Pill Bugs
(Armadillidium
vulgare)
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Materials |
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One
holding pail and lid, with 2.5 cm (1 in) of damp soil |
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Leaf litter and a piece of bark or twigs |
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Lettuce or a slice of potato for food |
Procedure
Pill bugs are very easy to keep. Carefully punch a few air holes in the lid of the holding pail with
sharp scissors or pushpin.
Put about 2.5 cm (1 in) of the leftover soil from Lesson 4 in the holding pail. Moisten the soil if it has dried out.
Open the shipping container. Most of the pill bugs should be in the moist paper
towel they were shipped with. Put the towel and pill bugs in the pail and add the leaf litter, bark, and lettuce or potato.
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Pill bug |
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Put the lid on the holding pail. You can store the holding pail just about anywhere that is not too cold or too hot.
Pill bugs do not require light.
Check the pill bugs daily to make sure the surface of the soil is damp. Also replace any moldy food.
Note: Most of the organisms you receive should be in good condition.
However, it is possible that some may arrive damaged or dead. If this happens, contact your supplier immediately.
Maintaining the pill bugs in the classroom
The terrarium contains everything pill bugs need to live. Just be sure it contains leaf litter and bark or
twigs and the moisture level is appropriate (see Lesson 4). The pill bugs spend most of the time under or in the moss and near the twigs and leaf litter. Students
must observe closely to see them. Students may lift the terrarium lid and gently poke around to locate the pill bugs, but they should be careful not to disturb the living plants. Students
may also put in a slice of potato to lure the pill bugs into view.
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