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Giant deep-sea isopod — printable fact sheet
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Giant deep-sea isopod
Bathynomus giganteus
Bathynomus giganteus is a woodlouse the size of a small cat. It is a genuine relative of the pill bugs found under garden stones, sharing the same armoured, segmented body plan and the same ability to curl into a defensive ball, but the deep sea has scaled it up to nearly 50 cm …
Did you know?
- Despite their intimidating appearance, giant deep-sea isopods are harmless scavengers and play a crucial role in recycling nutrients on the ocean floor.
- They have four sets of jaws that between them cut, tear and pierce, and they will burrow into a carcass and eat it from the inside. Their swimming legs are fringed with hairs and they can swim upside down, which is how they are often caught on baited deep-sea camera traps. Because they are attracted to bait, they are a persistent nuisance to deep-sea fishermen, arriving at longlines and eating the catch. Bathynomus is eaten as a novelty food in parts of Taiwan and Vietnam, where its meat is compared to crab or lobster — unsurprisingly, since it is a close enough relative.
What I learned
Draw the giant deep-sea isopod
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