While most isopods will defend themselves by curling up slightly, in many species, the head and abdomen do not touch.. However, these hard little bugs actually survive better outdoors—particularly when they find a wet or very damp area in which to live—such as under rocks and wood on the ground. That’s why they stay hidden in … Hold Your Breath Crustaceans -- including pill bugs -- absorb oxygen through their gills. Pill bugs rarely live long indoors, the indoor environment is too dry for them and they die after coming inside. Pill bugs are sometimes referred to as rollie pollies. Gills work great in the water. Pillbugs and sowbugs are two tiny pests considered to be occasional invaders because they will enter homes and buildings. They are relatives of shrimp and crabs, and are known as crustaceans. Do the same with the babies. How do pillbugs sense their environment? by Lauren Dunavant and Treva Hickey. Pillbugs breathe through gills. While most crustaceans live in water, woodlice live on land but breathe through gills like fish. Pill bugs do not breathe through lungs; they have gills. Most crustaceans live in or near water, and as dry-land crustaceans, pill bugs and sow bugs still require damp habitats due to the delicate gill-like breathing organs on their undersides, which must be kept moist to work. A Different Way to Breathe “Like their ocean ancestors, pill bugs have gills,” said Wright. It can roll itself into a ball (thus "pill bug"). This name is due to the fact that the pill bug can roll up into a tight ball when disturbed. Female and male pill bugs don't look different on top, their major anatomical differences are on their undersides. Pill Bugs help decompose organic material faster 3. Pill Bugs help decompose organic material faster 3. Because of this, they need to be in a damp place or they will die. Springtime Science: What's Home Sweet Home to a Bug? Pill bugs can roll up to protect themselves but sow bugs can't. Pill Bugs Breathe Through Gills Like their marine cousins, terrestrial pill bugs use gill-like structures to exchange gases. A Juvenile Pill Bug Molts in 2 Sections Because they breathe through gill-like membranes at the rear of their abdomens, roly poly bugs require a constantly moist environment. They are also from the Old World; they cannot roll into a ball, but they have two short, pointy “tails” at the end of the body. They also prefer dark rocks or any other dark place to stay that is dark. If they dry out, they can’t breathe, so they stay close to wet spots in your home. Armadillidium vulgare is the most common species in the U.S. Are Pill Bugs Being Stressed by Environmental Changes? Armadillidium vulgare is a common isopod found throughout the United States that has an important role in breaking down plant litter. Gills only function when they are wet, so pill bugs must inhabit places in which the air holds a lot of water. Pill bugs breathe with gills so they need to live in areas with high humidity or in wet places 2. They must have a moist environment to survive. Just relax.