Sow Bugs (Isopoda)
| Life history | Sow bugs live their entire life in the water and usually live only one year. Females carry the eggs in a pouch on the bottom of their body until the hatched eggs are 20-30 days old. |
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| Diversity | There is one family of freshwater sow bugs in North America. There are many other kinds that live in marine or terrestrial environments. |
| Distinguishing characteristics |
Flattened body; 7 pairs of legs; body is segmented with the last segment larger than the rest; last pair of legs looks like a pair of flat tails; 2 pair of antennae (one short , one long). |
| Habitat & Feeding | Sow bugs may be found in seeps, springs, and small spring-fed streams, streams, underground water, ponds, and shallow lakes. Sow bugs are omnivores, feeding on both plant and animal material; usually decaying plant material and dead animal matter. |
| Water quality indicator status | Sow bugs are tolerant of organic pollution and are good indicators of recovery in areas that have been affected by sewage pollution. |
| Fun facts |
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