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Thread: Another Tiny Find : Pill Millipede

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    Moderator Adam Savage's Avatar
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    Another Tiny Find : Pill Millipede

    While out in one of my favourite woods the other night, I came across this little fella. A fine example of a pill millipede (Glomeris marginata).
    Although small, these things are a marvel of nature. Just watching them move is interesting stuff. The way their armour plates glide over the next.
    This one was a few inches from a juvenile (much smaller, with a yellowish, semi translucent shell). Not sure if it was the offspring (as there was only the one), or a potential next meal. Cannibalism in woodlice is pretty rare, but if they get hungry enough it can happen. I know these aren't strictly woodlice, but they are very closely related. It could be that the young was one of the first to hatch, as they breed during spring/summer, and hatch 2 months later.
    Anyway, here's the piccies for anyone who's interested

    Defined/contrasting shell...





    All those legs, telling you it's not your usual woodlouse...



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    Natural Born Bushcrafter MikeWilkinson's Avatar
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    Tribal Elder Tigger004's Avatar
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    Very nice photography indeed
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    Moderator Adam Savage's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tigger004 View Post
    Very nice photography indeed
    lol, I only had my phone with me, so had to use a combination of head torch and the phone's built in flash.
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    Natural Born Bushcrafter saxonaxe's Avatar
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    Good info..Something else I've learned, I wouldn't have known the difference between that little beastie and an ordinary Wood Louse.

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    Moderator Adam Savage's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by saxonaxe View Post
    Good info..Something else I've learned, I wouldn't have known the difference between that little beastie and an ordinary Wood Louse.
    I had to educate myself after finding it. I think the best way to get a good idea, is how much more of a "gloss" finish the pill millipede has, compared to the rustic "matt" look of the pill bug/woodlouse.
    It doesn't look like it in the pictures, but this was about 3-4 times the size of a woodlouse too. Tried to use my finger for scale, but didn't really show it.
    Thought I may have found a new species, but turns out they are already catalogued lol
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    Ranger OakAshandThorn's Avatar
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    Charming little fellow .
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    Moderator Adam Savage's Avatar
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    One of the more charming of the creepy crawlies I think, but all are interesting to find, photograph, and study
    I'm always telling people to stop and look at the ground, purely for these little guys (and gals, as well as both lol). All too often we miss such tiny things, and they make up a vast portion of the ecosystem. They deserve a little of our time at least.
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