species, including what is thought to be the  largest isopod in the world, Bathynomus giganteus.  

種類，包括被認為是世界上最大的等腳獸，Bathynomus giganteus。

They are abundant in the cold, deep waters of  the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans where  

它們在大西洋、印度洋和太平洋的寒冷深海中大量存在。

the water pressure is intense. With the largest species reaching over 14 in (370 mm) long, giant isopods  

水壓很強。隨著最大的物種達到超過14英寸（370毫米）長，巨型異足動物

exhibit deep sea gigantism. This is likely caused  by colder temperatures and longer lifespans. This  

表現出深海的巨大性。這可能是由較低的溫度和較長的壽命造成的。這

makes them significantly larger than their  smaller isopod relatives (pill bug). They  

這使得它們比它們較小的等足類親屬（藥蟲）大得多。它們

prefer muddy bottoms at depths between  560 to 7000 ft (170 and 2140 m) deep.  

喜歡深度在560至7000英尺（170至2140米）之間的泥質底部。

They have large, reflective eyes and 14 legs.  Their segmented body has two pairs of antennae.  

它們有大而反光的眼睛和14條腿。 它們分節的身體有兩對觸角。

The abdomen has limbs called pleopods that  are used for swimming and respiration.  

腹部有稱為胸足的肢體，用於游泳和呼吸。

Giant isopods are important deep sea scavengers.  They feed on dead creatures, like whales  

巨型異足動物是重要的深海清道夫。 它們以死亡的生物為食，如鯨魚

that have fallen to the seafloor, but they may  also feed on slow moving or sessile animals.  

但它們也可能以移動緩慢或無脊椎動物為食。

Their mouthparts are highly adapted to cut  and ingest large chunks of food. A large and  

它們的口器高度適應於切割和攝取大塊的食物。一個大而

flexible gut maximizes food ingestion. They can  rapidly detect dead animals by chemoreception.  

靈活的腸道使食物的攝取量最大化。它們可以通過化學感覺迅速發現死亡的動物。

They can go a long time without food. Like  their tiny relatives, giant isopods can roll  

它們可以在沒有食物的情況下持續很長時間。像它們的小親戚一樣，巨大的異足動物可以滾動

into a ball when threatened. Their hard  skeleton protects them from predators.  

當受到威脅時就會變成一個球。它們堅硬的骨架可以保護它們不受捕食者的傷害。

Female isopods lay eggs. They develop a special  pouch to hold the eggs and newly the hatched  

雌性異足動物產卵。它們發展出一個特殊的袋子來容納卵子，並在新近孵化出的卵子

babies. The young emerge from the pouch as  miniature adults. Sometimes giant isopods  

嬰兒。幼體從袋中出來時，是微型的成體。有時巨型異足動物

get caught in deep water trawling nets.  They are commonly caught in baited traps.  

陷入深水拖網中。 它們通常被誘餌陷阱捕獲。

Some are kept in aquariums. In some parts of  Asia, giant isopods are considered a delicacy.  

有些被養在水族館裡。在亞洲的一些地方，巨型異足動物被認為是一種美味佳餚。

They are said to taste like lobster. For more  marine facts, click the SUBSCRIBE button!!

據說它們的味道像龍蝦。更多海洋知識，請點擊訂閱按鈕!