WEBVTT

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We've just got a Bathynomus giganteus swimming into view and these are one of the most charismatic deep-sea animals you could possibly find.

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They are very closely related to the wood lice,

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which you get living on dead trees and so on, except these ones are massive.

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They're usually about a foot long and are just one of my favorite deep-sea animals.

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I'm so glad we got to see one already. Giant isopod.

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They are really, really important scavengers in the deep-sea benthic environment.

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They're thought to be found worldwide and are really great example of deep-sea gigantism.

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Most isopods found in the deep sea are smaller than your thumbnail,

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and so this is a huge break from tradition as it is as much as a foot long. Or even more in some cases.

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To some people, they're really cute, to some people, they're the stuff of nightmares.