What Do Rolly Pollies Eat

Rolly pollies, also known as pill bugs, woodlice, or Armadillidiid, are fascinating creatures commonly found in gardens, forests, and other damp environments. While they might appear unremarkable at first glance, these small crustaceans play a crucial role in the ecosystem. Their distinctive behavior of curling into a ball when threatened gives them their popular name, “rolly pollies.” One of the most intriguing aspects of their existence is their diet. What exactly do these tiny creatures consume to survive and thrive in their environments? This article explores the dietary habits of rolly pollies in great detail, shedding light on their eating behaviors, food preferences, and role in the ecosystem.

What Are Rolly Pollies?

Before diving into what rolly pollies eat, it’s important to understand a bit more about them. Rolly pollies are not insects, as many people mistakenly believe, but rather land-dwelling crustaceans related to crabs, lobsters, and shrimp. Their segmented bodies, seven pairs of legs, and ability to roll into a ball for defense are some of their most recognizable features.

Rolly pollies prefer environments that are moist and sheltered, such as under rocks, logs, or in leaf litter. These places provide the humidity they need to breathe, as they rely on gill-like structures for oxygen absorption. As decomposers, rolly pollies play a vital role in breaking down organic matter, turning it into nutrient-rich soil. Their diet is a key part of this decomposition process.

Understanding the Rolly Polly’s Diet

Rolly pollies are detritivores, which means they primarily consume decaying organic material. This diet helps them fulfill an essential ecological role by recycling nutrients back into the soil. However, their eating habits are not restricted to just one type of food. The diet of a rolly polly can be surprisingly varied and opportunistic.

1. Decaying Plant Material

One of the primary food sources for rolly pollies is decaying plant matter. This includes dead leaves, rotting wood, and decomposed plant roots. The reason they prefer decomposed materials is simple: these items are softer and easier to consume. Rolly pollies do not have strong jaws like some insects, so they rely on the breakdown of plant tissues by natural processes such as moisture and fungi.

While rotting vegetation might not sound appealing to us, it provides rolly pollies with the nutrients they need, including cellulose, which is a major component of plant cell walls. Cellulose, while hard to digest for most creatures, becomes more accessible in decaying plants due to microbial activity. As a result, rolly pollies can efficiently feed on dead plants and aid in the recycling of nutrients within their habitats.

2. Fungi and Algae

In addition to decaying plant material, rolly pollies also feed on fungi and algae. Fungi grow abundantly in moist, decaying environments, making them a readily available food source. Fungi serve as an important nutritional component for rolly pollies, providing them with proteins, carbohydrates, and essential minerals. The decomposition process often leads to fungal growth, which makes it an integral part of the rolly polly diet.

Algae, another common component in damp environments, can also be a food source for rolly pollies. Algae often grows in areas with abundant moisture, such as the underside of rocks, fallen logs, or in soil. While algae may not be a primary part of their diet, rolly pollies can consume it when other food sources are scarce.

3. Animal Matter

Though less common, rolly pollies may also consume dead animal matter. Like decaying plant material, animal carcasses provide a rich source of nutrients, including proteins and fats. Rolly pollies may be found scavenging on dead insects, snails, or other small animals in their environments. Their ability to consume animal matter further emphasizes their role as nature’s recyclers.

However, it’s important to note that rolly pollies typically feed on animal matter only when it has started to decay. Just like with plant materials, they prefer softer substances that have been broken down by other organisms or environmental factors.

4. Soil and Organic Debris

Rolly pollies are also known to ingest soil, particularly soil rich in organic matter. The organic debris within soil, such as tiny fragments of plants and animals, provides additional nutrients. This habit of consuming soil not only helps rolly pollies access nutrients, but also contributes to the aeration and mixing of soil layers, further benefiting plant life in their surroundings.

Water and Moisture

While rolly pollies do not need to drink water in the same way that mammals do, they absorb moisture from their environment. Their gill-like structures require a constantly moist atmosphere to function properly. They get the water they need through the damp environments they inhabit, such as moist soil or decomposing matter. Some studies suggest that rolly pollies can even extract water from the food they eat, making their dietary choices even more important for their overall hydration.

How Rolly Pollies Feed

Rolly pollies have a unique feeding mechanism. They do not possess strong mouthparts like those of a predator; instead, they use their mandibles to scrape off small particles of food from surfaces. The food is then pushed into their mouths by their small appendages. Once consumed, the food travels through a simple digestive system, where it is broken down into nutrients the rolly polly can absorb. Their diet is digested relatively slowly, as they rely on bacteria in their gut to help break down tough plant fibers.

What Happens When Food Is Scarce?

Rolly pollies are highly adaptable creatures and can survive for extended periods on limited resources. When food is scarce, they may become more opportunistic, feeding on whatever organic material they can find. In extreme conditions, rolly pollies have even been known to consume their own feces, a behavior known as coprophagy. This behavior helps them maximize nutrient absorption by digesting food multiple times.

In some cases, rolly pollies may even cannibalize other rolly pollies that have died. While this is not a common occurrence, it illustrates their ability to survive in challenging environments.

How Rolly Pollies Contribute to the Ecosystem

The dietary habits of rolly pollies are not just about survival; they play a vital role in maintaining the balance of ecosystems. By consuming decaying matter, rolly pollies help break down organic materials that would otherwise accumulate in the environment. This process returns nutrients to the soil, making them available for plants and other organisms to use.

In addition, rolly pollies contribute to soil health. Their burrowing and feeding activities help aerate the soil, allowing water, oxygen, and nutrients to reach plant roots more effectively. This makes rolly pollies an important part of the decomposition cycle and overall soil fertility.

Rolly Pollies in the Garden

For gardeners, rolly pollies can be both beneficial and problematic. On one hand, their diet of decaying matter helps clean up garden debris and enrich the soil. On the other hand, if rolly pollies become too abundant, they may start feeding on live plants, particularly seedlings or plants that are already weakened or stressed. In such cases, rolly pollies can become a nuisance.

To manage rolly pollies in the garden, it’s important to strike a balance. Keeping garden beds free of excessive decaying matter can reduce rolly polly populations while maintaining their beneficial effects on soil health.

Conclusion

Rolly pollies are humble yet remarkable creatures that play an essential role in nature’s recycling system. Their diet, consisting primarily of decaying plant material, fungi, algae, and sometimes animal matter, allows them to contribute to the decomposition process and improve soil health. Understanding what rolly pollies eat helps us appreciate their ecological importance and how they fit into the broader web of life.

Whether you find them crawling through your garden or exploring beneath a log in the woods, these tiny creatures are vital to the health of the ecosystems they inhabit. By feeding on dead and decaying materials, rolly pollies not only sustain themselves but also help nourish the world around them.