They will drown if submerged in water too long. They have gills, however, which must be kept moist. This is why they live in damp, humid places such as under rocks and logs, have nocturnal habits, and some can roll up in a ball (as pillbugs do). The underside of the body is especially vulnerable to drying out.

Can pill bugs live in water?

Pill Bugs Breathe Through Gills: Like their marine cous- ins, terrestrial pill bugs use gill-like structures to ex- change gases. They require moist environments to breathe but cannot survive being submerged in water.

Can pill bugs suffocate?

If the pill bug dries out, its gills won’t function properly and the pill bug can suffocate. That’s why you usually only find them in damp areas, like under a dead log. If they start to overheat and dry out, pill bugs will even roll into a ball to protect the remaining moisture on their gills.

Can a roly poly drown? Rolly Pollies Breathe Through Gills: The problem here is that although pill bugs do breathe through gills, they will actually drown when submerged in water. As crustaceans, they survive best in moist environments where they can suck the moisture from their surroundings to stay alive.