SLATERS Ryan

The scientific name for Slaters is Oniscoidea. Their colours are usually shades of grey from dark to light. They can grow up to 2 cms but most are 1 - 1.5 cms long. Their bodies are made up of 7 pairs of legs, 2 eyes, 3 body parts. their body has many segments.

Slaters live in wood piles and branches and on leaves. Slaters are found in all parts of the world including Antartica. There are 36 species in New Zealand which is there favourite place to live in.

Slaters reproduce at warm times, they hatch from their eggs after 44 days. They moult many times after they hatch. A female lays and carries the eggs on her back.

Slaters can live for up to 4 years but most die while still young. Slaters eat decaying dead organisms, poo! and vegetables. They are eaten by spiders.

Slaters can roll up in to a ball. Because of this they are also known as pill bugs and woodlice.