There are 20 known species in the genus Bathynomus; B. giganteus, or the giant isopod, is the biggest. Related to a common garden pillbug and resembling an alien creature from the ocean floor you can find them at the ABQ BioPark Aquarium. Giant isopods have four sets of jaws—which are adapted to cut and tear at prey. Though they’re generally believed to be scavengers, feasting on dead animals that fall from above, some evidence suggests that they might also eat slow-moving live animals like worms, mollusks and small crustaceans.
Posted on: Thu, 09 Oct 2014 20:54:17 +0000