Channel: oceanexplorergov

Category: Science & Technology

Tags: swimmingnoaaexplorationoceanexploreisopodsnackobservationscienceokeanos explorergiant isopodfish head

Description: Snack time, anyone? This giant isopod (Bathynomous giganteus) was seen snacking on a fish head (uh, yum?!) during Dive 11 of the 2019 Southeastern U.S. Deep-sea Exploration.  These deep-sea scavengers are close relatives of the pill bugs, rolly pollies, and sowbugs found in houses and gardens, but Bathynomus giganteus is much, much larger, growing up to a foot and a half in length. Although giant isopods have been known to exist for more than a century, we still don't know all that much about their biology or behavior, making capturing videos like this one incredibly important (and also really cool).   Video courtesy of the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, 2019 Southeastern U.S. Deep-sea Exploration. Source: oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/ex1907/welcome.html