Are a woodlouse and roly poly the same thing?

Yes, a woodlouse and a roly-poly refer to the same type of creature. Woodlice are terrestrial crustaceans belonging to the order Isopoda, and they are often colloquially called roly-polies because of their ability to roll into a ball when disturbed. Both terms describe these small, pill-like animals commonly found in gardens and damp environments.