Pill bug Coloring Pages

The Name's Origin and English Names

The Japanese name for Pill bug comes from how they roll into a ball like a dumpling when they are attacked or scared to protect themselves. In English, they are called Pill bug because they roll up, and Woodlouse because they live near wood.

They Aren't Bugs, But Relatives of Shrimp and Crabs!?

A Pill bug has 14 legs. They are not insects. They are crustaceans, just like shrimp and crabs! That is why they do not breathe air like insects. They breathe through moisture in wet places instead. That is why they do not like dry places and love wet spots.

Where Do They Live? (Homes)

They love damp, shady places.

• Under flowerpots in the garden

• Under fallen leaves in the park

• On the back of big rocks

• Old tree stumps

You can find them anywhere wet, from city towns to deep mountains.

When Can You See Them? (Seasons)

You can see the Pill bug all year round. They move around the most from spring to autumn (around March to October). In winter, they stay still under fallen leaves or in the dirt to stay safe from the cold. On warm days, you might see them in winter, too.

What Do They Eat? (Food)

The Pill bug acts like nature's cleaner.

• Dead leaves

• Rotten wood

• Dead bugs

They eat these things and break them down to make the soil rich. They also eat concrete powder to get calcium and make their shells strong.

How to Tell Boys and Girls Apart

If you look closely at a Pill bug, boys and girls have very different back patterns.

• Boys: Their backs are dark all over, and they have almost no patterns. They look cool with just one solid color.

• Girls: They have little yellow or whitish spots scattered on their backs. Each girl has a different number and layout of spots. If you see spots, it is a girl. You can draw these spots when you color your coloring page to show if it is a boy or a girl. Give it a try!

Can They Solve Mazes? Smart Habits

The Pill bug has a fun habit called "turn alternation." If they turn right, they turn left next. They keep turning right and left one after the other. This habit helps them get back to their path or escape dead ends when obstacles are in the way. People love doing fun maze experiments with them using this trick!

Let's Make a Realistic Gray Color!

The body of a Pill bug is not just one simple color.

• First, color the whole body with light gray.

• Next, try adding some dark gray or brown on top in a few spots.

• If you use the side of your pencil to shade softly, you can make it look smooth and dull just like a real one!

Look Closely at the Segments and Patterns on the Back

The back of a Pill bug is divided into many small "segments."

• If you trace the lines between the segments with a darker color, it will look like a hard shell.

• If you look closely, some of them have tiny yellow spots on their backs. Girl Pill bug friends often have these patterns. Add a little yellow to make your picture special!

Make the Curled-Up Pill bug Look 3D!

When you color a Pill bug curled up into a ball, think about how light shines on it.

• It is round like a ball, so leave the middle bright and add darker shadows toward the outside. This makes it look popping out and round!

• Coloring the parts where the segments overlap a bit darker makes its shape look extra cool.

Draw a Background to Make It Look Alive!

Don't just draw the Pill bug! Imagine the world around it too.

• Draw brown fallen leaves or wet soil under its feet.

• Place it right next to a big gray stone.

• Draw it hiding in the corner of a concrete wall.

They Aren't Actually "Insects"!?

They have lots of legs and look like bugs, but they aren't insects! They are actually crustaceans, just like "shrimps and crabs." So, unlike beetles, they have "gills" on their bellies to help them breathe.

Why Do They Roll Into a Ball?

Of course, they roll into a ball to protect themselves when enemies come, but there is another important reason. They do it so their belly gills "don't dry out." Rolling up helps them keep the precious water they need to live.

Great Forest Cleaners

The Pill bug's favorite food is "fallen leaves" on the ground. When they munch on lots of leaves and poop, it turns into soil full of nutrients. That makes them super important cleaners who protect nature!

Is It True That They Eat Concrete?

To make a Pill bug's hard shell, they need a lot of a nutrient called "calcium." So, besides fallen leaves, they sometimes nibble on concrete walls in town to get extra calcium!