Backyard Science - [Pill Bugs]

Our current pandemic has reshaped our way of life. Being quarantined has forced us indoors and away from our standard social gatherings, work, family, and friends. However, being stuck inside doesn't mean we can't still explore and discover the wonders of nature all around us. There are plenty of amazing scientific discoveries that exist right in our own backyards.

This Backyard Science series will highlight all the unique things you can explore safely, and in the comfort of your own home. Nature has a way of revealing itself in some of the most unexpected ways, so you may be surprised at the amount of science related elements that lay right outside your door.

The first installment of this series discusses an organism that you're probably all familiar with, but have no idea about its origin or genetic history. The Pill Bug, surprisingly is no bug at all. It's a crustacean, similar to lobsters, shrimps, crabs, and crawfish. With an origin tracing back hundreds of millions of years, Pill Bugs are truly one of the most unique organisms that thrive in your very own backyard.