Giant isopod
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| Giant isopods | |
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| Genus: | Bathynomus
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Giant isopods are big crustaceans that live at the bottom of the ocean. They can grow up to 45 cm long and weigh up to 1.7 kg. Currently about 9 different species are known. Giant isopods usually eat dead whales, fish and squid. They may also be active scavengers, and hunt slow-moving prey, such as sea cucumbers, sponges, nematodes. Perhaps they even catch live fish. They live in depths between 170m to about 2200m. Over 80% can be found between 365 m and 730 m of depth.[1] They probably prefer a muddy or clay ocean floor environment, and lead solitary lives.
Giant Isopod Media
A frontal view of Bathynomus giganteus, showing its large, highly reflective compound eyes
The underside of Bathynomus giganteus
A giant isopod and shrimp
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References
- ↑ L. B. Holthuis & W. R. Mikulka. Notes on the deep-sea isopods of the genus Bathynomus A. Milne-Edwards, 1879. Bulletin of Marine Science 22 (1972). p. 575–591.