Coolest isopods in the World

 Contrary to what most believe, isopods are not insects but a type of crustacean most closely related to crabs and shrimps. They evolved to inhabit both land and water. They are starting to become more popular each year, so we decided to show you the most interesting and unique isopod species.

The Spiky Yellow Woodlouse

They are endemic to Saint Elena’s Island, located south-west of Africa, and can grow up to 1 cm (0.4 in) long. Unlike most isopods that live on the floor, these bright critters live on top of trees. They are critically endangered due to introduced species like rats and other isopods that overpower them, as well as habitat loss by cutting down the trees they inhabit. The purpose of the bright color is still unknown, but it is believed to be so that it can warn predators. Not much is also known about their diet, but they most probably feed on pollen and spores.

Paridotea Ungulata

They live on the southern continents (New Zealand, the Solomon Islands, South Africa, and Australia) and have these green colors so that they can blend in with the algae in which they live. Their body is around four times longer than their width, reaching up to 4.5 cm (1.7 in). They live on reef platforms and rock pools in shallow waters near the sea floor. They are one of the few families of herbivorous isopods and eat mostly seaweed and algae.

Armadillo isopods

Armadillo isopods are found in Europe (Spain, France, and Greece) and can grow to around 2 cm (0.7 in). They are part of the family Armadillidae, which means that they roll into a ball as a defensive mechanism, but that is not the only unique thing about their defense. Unlike any other isopods, when they roll into a ball, they start to rub their feet and make a hissing sound. They are often kept as pets and sold online, making them one of the two commercialized species on this list.

Giant isopod

The giant isopod is the largest of its kind due to its being found in deep, cold waters in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. While their land brothers grow up to 3.8 cm (1.5 inches) long, these giants can get to around 17 and 50 cm (6.7 and 19.7 inches). This is a perfect example of deep-sea gigantism, where it is thought that animals grow much larger in larger depths, just like the giant and colossal squid. They are found in depths between 170 m (560 ft) and 2,140 m (7,020 ft). Being carnivorous, they are believed to be scavengers, but there is evidence that they also eat live animals like shrimp, crabs, squid, sponges, and whale skeletons.

Tongue-eating louse

The tongue-eating louse is a parasitic isopod that lives inside fish. The female attaches itself to the tongue of the fish, while the male attaches himself to the gills. They cut off the blood vessels in the fish’s tongue until it does not fall off, and then they attach themselves to the part where the tongue was, serving as the fish's new tongue. While some individuals feed on the blood of their host, others eat fish mucus. These parasites are found in the Gulf of California (Mexico and the USA), the Gulf of Guayaquil (Ecuador), and the Atlantic Ocean. Once, a male sued a local supermarket for selling fish infested with these isopods, claiming that he was poisoned by the isopods in them. The case was, however, dropped because isopods are not poisonous to humans and are even eaten in some diets. 

Rubber ducky isopod

They are one of the most famous and popular isopods in the pet trade due to their cool look and shape. While that is the case, they are challenging for most people due to their normal habitat (Thailand) and the humid environment there. They are a breed of the Cubaris genus of tropical isopods that can grow to around 1.8 cm (0.7 in). Although they require high humidity, they also need high ventilation, making them hard for most people to keep in captivity. The rubber duckies eat the most common and usual diet of a ground isopod—decomposing leaves, wood, and different kinds of vegetation.

So that was it! – Now you know all about Isopods. I hope you learned a lot regarding the spectacular wildlife on our planet with The Wildlife Echo!