What Do Giant Isopod Eat — Reading Comprehension

Thousands of feet beneath the ocean's surface lies a world of eternal darkness, crushing pressure, and freezing temperatures. This is the deep ocean, home to some of Earth's most extraordinary creatures, including the giant isopod. These remarkable crustaceans resemble enormous roly-polies, with some species reaching up to 20 inches in length. Giant isopods make their home on the seabed, where they serve as important members of the benthic zone—the ocean floor community that thrives in one of our planet's most extreme environments.

The giant isopod has a unique life cycle. Like all organisms, their life begins with birth. Females lay eggs, which hatch into tiny versions of the adults. They then grow, shedding their hard outer shell, called an exoskeleton, many times throughout their lives as they get bigger. This process is called molting. Giant isopods can live for a very long time, possibly many decades, reproducing more isopods before eventually reaching the end of their life cycle.

What do these deep-sea giants eat? In the dark depths, food is scarce. Giant isopods are vital scavengers. This means they eat dead animals that sink down from the ocean's surface, like whales or large fish. They also munch on small invertebrates and sea cucumbers. By cleaning up the ocean floor, they play a crucial role in the deep ocean food web, recycling nutrients that would otherwise be lost. Without giant isopods, the seabed would be covered in more dead matter, making it harder for other deep-sea creatures to thrive. Their survival shows how even in the harshest environments, organisms adapt and contribute to their ecosystem.

Interesting Fact: Giant isopods can go for years without eating, thanks to their slow metabolism and ability to store food.

Where do giant isopods live?

What do giant isopods eat?

How do giant isopods contribute to the food web?

Which is true about giant isopods?

Which best describes a scavenger?

What would happen without giant isopods?

Why is the deep ocean a harsh environment?

How do isopods' shells help them grow?