Giant isopod
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| Genus: | Bathynomus |
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.
References
[change | change source]- ↑ 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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