Sea Slater

The common sea slater is an omnivore, and emerges at night to feed on seaweed and detritus (2). Maturity has been recorded to occur by one year of age, but in most cases breeding will not begin until the sea slater is at least two years old. Breeding takes place in spring and summer. Most individuals only breed once, and have a life span of around two and a half to three years (2).

Conservation action is not required for this species (4).

The common sea slater is a sea-shore relative of woodlice that can grow up to 3 cm in length (3). It has a flattened, oval-shaped body that is grey to olive in colour and twice as long as it is broad. It has long antennae, seven pairs of walking legs and two projections at the tip of the abdomen, known as uropods. The black eyes are very large and obvious, and are similar to the compound eyes found in insects (4).

Found on rocky coasts beneath stones and in crevices on the upper shore (2).

This species has a wide distribution in north-west Europe (2). In Britain, it is common on coasts with rocky substrata (4).

Not threatened (2).

This species is not threatened at present.

Harbor slaters, also known as rocky shore isopods, are the largest of the land slaters found in Northwestern Europe. They breath in air, just like species in the garden. They are nocturnal animals, hiding in cracks, splits and under seaweed during the day. You may find them crawling around at night, although they will hide quickly as soon as they detect you. Because they are so fast, they are nicknamed marine cockroaches.

Acadian, north side of Cape Cod to Newfoundland