When threatened, it rolls into a tight ball, a defense called conglobation, protecting its soft underside with a tough shell. Few predators in its habitat prove this tactic's success.
Deep-sea gigantism, seen in the isopod, baffles experts. Theories suggest fewer predators allow larger growth, or bigger bodies store energy for scarce food periods in the abyss.
As a scavenger, it eats sunken fish and marine carcasses, vital to deep-sea ecosystems. Its slow metabolism suits the cold, high-pressure depths, thriving where food is rare.
Studies show females guard eggs in a brood pouch for better survival. Like many deep-sea dwellers, slow reproduction makes them vulnerable to environmental shifts and overfishing.
