Jill's Pick from Around the World: Terrifying Sea Beast Hauled Up
This giant isopod (a crustacean related to shrimps and crabs) represents one of about nine species of large isopods in the
genus Bathynomus. They are thought to be abundant in cold, deep waters of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
Photo credit: National Geographic
A submarine exploring the ocean's depths recently returned with an unexpected visitor: a crablike critter called Bathynomus giganteus (commonly known as giant isopod) that has left many readers startled and horrified. In a posting to social bookmarking site Reddit, a deep-sea technician detailed finding the Bathynomus giganteus, asking the site's readers to help identify what exactly the bizarre-looking creature was. The post reads, "I work for a Sub-sea Survey Company, recently this beast came up attached to one of our ROVs. It measures a wee bit over 2.5 feet head to tail, and we expect it latched onto the ROV at roughly 8,500 feet depth.
To view previous Jill's Pick from Around the World stories follow these links:
- 4/15/10: Human-size lizard discovered in the Philippines
- 4/8/10: Toads predict earthquakes
- 4/1/10: What a hyena's laugh tells
- 3/18/10: Rare rhino pregnancy fuels hope for endangered species
- 3/12/10: Rare Black Penguin Sightings
- 3/4/10: Weed Killer Makes Male Frogs Lay Eggs
Posted by WILDNEWJERSEY at 4/24/2010 10:00 AM 
Categories: Sea Life, Jill's Pick from Around the World
Tags: crab shrimp Bathynomus giganteus giant isopod ocean
Categories: Sea Life, Jill's Pick from Around the World
Tags: crab shrimp Bathynomus giganteus giant isopod ocean
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