Giant Isopod
ExploreInvertebrate
Giant Isopod
Bathynomus giganteus
Meet the Giant Isopod, a fascinating deep-sea creature that looks like a giant underwater roly-poly! It lives in the darkest parts of the ocean and has a unique way of surviving in the cold, high-pressure environment.
Habitat: Deep Sea
Appearance
The Giant Isopod has a large, flattened, oval-shaped body covered in a hard, segmented exoskeleton, typically dark grey, brown, or purple. It possesses prominent, widely spaced compound eyes on its head. This deep-sea creature resembles a colossal land pillbug, distinguishing it from most marine life.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassMalacostracaOrderIsopodaFamilyCirolanidaeGenusBathynomus
Category
InvertebrateRarity
Rare
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
Giant isopods are related to the roly-polies you find in your garden, but much, much bigger!
Sometimes, scientists catch them and they've eaten so much, they look like bloated sausages!
These amazing creatures have been around for millions of years, barely changing their ancient design!
They spend most of their lives creeping along the freezing-cold, super-dark ocean floor!
Special abilities
Ability
Epic Fasting
Giant Isopod can survive for years without eating, because they can slow down their metabolism to extreme levels when food is scarce.
Ability
Deep-See Eyes
Giant Isopod has large, widely spaced compound eyes that help them detect faint bioluminescence and movement in the dark ocean depths.
Ability
Armored Curl-Up
Giant Isopod can curl into a tight ball, protecting its softer underside from predators with its hard, segmented exoskeleton.
Measurements & details
- Size
- 190-500 mm
- Lifespan
- 3650-18250 days
- Leg Count
- 14
Diet & Feeding
These deep-sea scavengers mostly eat dead whales, fish, and other decaying matter that falls from above.
Primary Foods
- Dead whales
- Dead fish
- Squid carcasses
- Sea cucumber remnants
- Smaller invertebrates
Foraging Method
- Scavenging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Greenland Shark
Somniosus microcephalus
Opportunistically preys on isopods in its deep-sea hunting.
eats
Sperm Whale
Physeter macrocephalus
Feeds on fallen carcasses, contributing to ocean floor recycling.
eats
Roughhead Grenadier
Macrourus berglax
Scavenges on its decaying remains, cleaning the deep-sea floor.
Traits
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Scavenger
Scavengers consume dead organic matter, helping to decompose carcasses and other waste in the ecosystem.
Ancient Lineage
This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years.
Deep Sea
Deep sea habitats are characterized by extreme pressure, darkness, and cold temperatures, supporting unique life forms below the sunlit zone.
Longevous
This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.
Armored
Armored describes animals protected by a hard, external covering or shell for defense.
Regenerative
Regenerative organisms possess the ability to regrow lost or damaged body parts, tissues, or organs.
Giant
Giant describes organisms or objects of significantly larger size than average for their species or type.
Nocturnal
Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.
Also known as
Bathynomus giganteus
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Remember, Giant Isopods live in the deep sea, far away from where we swim. They are not dangerous to us.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big is Giant Isopod?
190-500 mm
How long does Giant Isopod live?
3650-18250 days
What does Giant Isopod eat?
These deep-sea scavengers mostly eat dead whales, fish, and other decaying matter that falls from above.
Where is Giant Isopod usually found?
Deep Sea
How does Giant Isopod hunt?
Scavenging
How many legs does Giant Isopod have?
14
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
