Isopod

Isopoda; Temporal range: Carboniferous (300 – 0 Ma)
	Eurydice pulchra (Cirolanidae)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Subphylum:	Crustacea
Class:	Malacostraca
Subclass:	Eumalacostraca
Superorder:	Peracarida
Order:	Isopoda; Latreille, 1817
Suborders
	Asellota; Calabozoida; Cymothoida; Limnoriidea; Microcerberidea; Oniscidea; Phoratopidea; Phreatoicidea; Sphaeromatidea; Tainisopidea; Valvifera;

Isopods are animals that belong to an order of peracarid crustaceans. This order is called Isopoda. The name Isopoda derives from the Greek roots (iso-, meaning "same") and (podos, meaning "foot"). Some isopod species live in water, like the tongue louse. Others live on land, like woodlice and pill bugs.

Description

Most isopods are under half an inch long, but some, like the Giant isopod, can grow as large as 14 inches or more. They are usually gray, brown or black, with an oval-shaped body. They have seven armor plates, called "pereonites," which protect them. They also have seven pairs of short legs. Isopods have two pairs of antennae; one pair feels along the ground.

Isopods have gills and need water to breathe. Because of this, the isopod species which live on land must stay in moist places.