Giant isopod
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.
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| Genus: | Bathynomus
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Giant Isopod Media
A frontal view of Bathynomus giganteus, showing its large, highly reflective compound eyes
The underside of Bathynomus giganteus
Deep sea creatures. A giant isopod (Bathynomus) and red deep-sea shrimp at Tokyo Sea Life Park, Japan.
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References
- ↑ L. B. Holthuis & W. R. Mikulka (1972). "Notes on the deep-sea isopods of the genus Bathynomus A. Milne-Edwards, 1879". Bulletin of Marine Science. 22: 575–591.
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