How many pairs of legs does a woodlouse possess compared to a pill millipede?
Answer
Woodlice have 7 pairs, while millipedes have 9 or 8 pairs
Distinguishing between woodlice (isopods) and pill millipedes, which often share habitats, relies on distinct morphological features, especially leg count. A woodlouse, being a crustacean, consistently possesses seven pairs of jointed legs, totaling 14 legs for an adult. In sharp contrast, the pill millipede is characterized by having either eight or nine pairs of legs, resulting in a total count of 17 or 19 legs, depending on the specific species or developmental stage. This difference in leg count is one of the most reliable ways to differentiate these two creatures that both exhibit the spherical defense mechanism of rolling up.
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