This is the largest known crustacean of the isopod family. It is a carnivore and scavenges deep on the ocean floor where food is scarce. Because of this they will eat anything that reaches these depths and their mouths contain a complex of many components that pierce, shred, and disembowel live or dead prey. They are known to reach over 16 inches in length. Like pillbugs they can roll themselves into a tight ball for protection. Their strong, armor plated shells protect them well from most predators. The Giant Isopod can be found at depths over 2000 feet all over the world and also some have colonized freshwater habitats. Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Subphylum: Crustacea Class: Malacostraca Order: Isopoda Suborder: Cymothoida Family: Cirolanidae Genus: Bathynomus (A. Milne-Edwards, 1879) Species: Bathynomus giganteus
This is the largest known crustacean of the isopod family. It is a carnivore and scavenges deep on the ocean floor where food is scarce. Because of this they will eat anything that reaches these depths and their mouths contain a complex of many components that pierce, shred, and disembowel live or dead prey. They are known to reach over 16 inches in length. Like pillbugs they can roll themselves into a tight ball for protection. Their strong, armor plated shells protect them well from most predators. The Giant Isopod can be found at depths over 2000 feet all over the world and also some have colonized freshwater habitats. Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Subphylum: Crustacea Class: Malacostraca Order: Isopoda Suborder: Cymothoida Family: Cirolanidae Genus: Bathynomus (A. Milne-Edwards, 1879) Species: Bathynomus giganteus
