13 Weird Animals That Look Just Like Pokémon

DuskTelemetry Updated: 2025-08-16

13. The Bizarre Giant Isopod: Deep-Sea Monster of the Abyss

Hidden in the ocean's cold, dark depths, the giant isopod (Bathynomus giganteus) reveals the eerie wonders of unexplored realms. With an alien look and huge size, this crustacean—related to pill bugs—fascinates scientists and the public. Some reach 16 inches (41 cm), a striking case of deep-sea gigantism.
Its appearance is uncanny. Pale yellow or gray, its segmented shell of overlapping plates shields against deep-sea pressure. Huge compound eyes detect faint bioluminescent glows in total darkness, paired with two antennae sets for an insect-like, creepy vibe. 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.