A giant isopod is any of the almost 20 species of large isopods. Bathynomus is a genus of deep-sea isopod which occurs throughout the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans with the depth of between 170 to 2140 metres.
Orin Zebest /CC BY 2.0 | Front And Back View Of Giant Isopod
These are also called as “woodlouse” or “pill bug”. Giant isopods are of little interest to most commercial fisheries. Giant isopods are a good example of deep-sea gigantism and its reaches an average length between 19 and 36 cm.
NOAA Ocean Explorer /CC BY-SA 2.0 | Giant Isopod
Their legs are arranged in seven pairs and the isopods are a pale lilac in colour. These isopods are mostly carnivorous and feed on dead whales, fish and squid. They are known to attack trawl catches. They can survive over five years without food.
Damien du Toit /CC BY 2.0 | Giant Isopod
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