Why isopods prefer dark environments

Gills present special problems for reproduction -- female pill bugs deposit their fertilized eggs in small, water-holding brood pouches, until the young are large enough to fend for themselves. By using the site, you agree to the uses of cookies and other technology as outlined in our Policy, and to our Terms of Use. Test pillbug responses to moisture. Here's how: Take a batch of medium to large pillbugs specimens and place them in a petri dish or jar on dry filter paper.

Keep the container in dim light, and observe the reaction of the bugs for minutes. How do the pillbugs react? Record your observations. Now put the same pillbugs in a container with just a small piece of damp paper. What do you observe? Why do you think pillbugs reacted the way they did? Think about where you find pillbugs - in damp or dry areas? Did you know that pillbugs have gills and they do not retain water well?

Within a minute or two you should have seen them clump together when they were placed on the dry paper, indicating a need to reduce water loss from their bodies. Test pillbug responses to temperature. Here's how: Place four to six pillbugs in a small jar with a cover, and float the jar on water in a pan. Add ice cubes and a thermometer, and stir gently so as not to tip the jar.

The sow bugs or pill bugs that spent time in the container with the dry soil probably only stayed there temporarily before going back to the damp soil. Although sow bugs and pill bugs are amazing in that they're crustaceans that have adapted to live on land, they still need moisture to breathe and survive. Cleanup When you are done observing the sow bugs or pill bugs, you may release them where you found them.

Be sure to recycle the emptied milk cartons. This activity brought to you in partnership with Science Buddies. Already a subscriber? Sign in. Thanks for reading Scientific American. Create your free account or Sign in to continue.

See Subscription Options. Discover World-Changing Science. Materials Two clean, empty cardboard milk cartons Sharp utility knife Scissors Tape Dry soil Water At least 12 sow bugs or pill bugs Details for collecting these are given in the activity below. Preparation Carefully use the utility knife and scissors to cut the tops of the two milk cartons completely off at least four inches up from their bottoms. Have an adult use the utility knife to cut into the cartons and then continue cutting them with the scissors.

Discard recycle the top parts of the cartons. You should be left with two carton containers with open tops. About one inch up on each carton bottom, cut out rectangles that run the length of the side of the carton and that are between one to two inches tall. These will be the "doors" that the sow bugs or pill bugs will use to move between the cartons, so make sure these holes line up well between the two cartons.

Turn the carton bottoms so that their rectangular door holes line up and then tape the two cartons together. How do biological clocks affect organisms? What are photoperiods? What is polyandry?

Question 79a5c. See all questions in Animal Behavior. Impact of this question views around the world.