The ocean is a mysterious and awe-inspiring place, full of strange and wonderful creatures. Among these creatures are some of the most feared predators on the planet, including sharks. But there are also animals that can easily ᴋɪʟʟ a shark, and one of the most fascinating is the “giant vacuum animal”.
The giant crustacean, or Bathynomus giganteus, may look like cockroaches or bugs, but they are a creature of the crustacean family. Belongs to the order Isopoda, which includes more than 10,000 species and 4,500 of which are found in marine environments. However, only 20 species are known in the genus Bathynomus to date.
Unlike their tiny terrestrial cousins, these exotic marine animals typically reach lengths of 19 to nearly 40 centimeters. Some larger species are classified as “super-giant” orthopods and can grow to a body size of up to 20 inches (more than 50 centimeters).
Scientists theorize that their enormous size is an adaptation to the extreme temperatures of their deep-sea habitats, but they are not sure why they are so large. One of the largest giant isotopic organisms on record is a giant 2.5 foot (nearly 80 cm) creature discovered in 2010. The creature was accidentally brought to the surface after it attached to an underwater vehicle (ROV) at a depth of 8,500 feet (2.6 km) under the sea.
But there are some as large as 50 cm, including the ability to live up to 5 years. Even if it doesn’t eat anything, it still exists as a real powerhouse.
The giant otopod has 14 insect-like legs on its body with two large reflective eyes. Even more terrifying is that their mouth has 4 sets of jaws, which can easily swallow hard shells and animal carcasses found on the ocean floor.
Like most deep-sea animals, giant cephalopods are not aggressive. Their slow metabolism allows them to be in a semi-hibernating state, so they rarely need to eat. Some giant isopods in captivity can live up to 5 years without food.
The “appearance” of giant cockroaches looks quite creepy with a bunch of spiky arthropods, smooth light gray body, small head, with 2 long antennae sticking out.
The most striking feature of this species is its large insect-like body. Living on the seabed hundreds of arm’s length deep, they are known as “amphibious tanks”.
Very few people have the courage to eat sea cockroaches because of their monstrous shape. Although considered a delicious meat, many studies indicate that sea cockroaches are scavengers on the ocean floor.
