From Ocean Depths To The Backyard

Recently, a photo of a strange creature pulled from the depths of the ocean has been spreading virally across the interwebs. 





It is a two and half foot long isopod that typically lives in the depths of the ocean feeding on whatever sinks to the bottom. Called Bathynomus giganteus or the giant Isopod. Frightening and foreign as this thing looks, it is closely related to the terrestrial crustaceans that are commonly found in backyard gardens. 


Generally called pill bugs, or wood lice - they are a familiar creature that lurks under rocks or decaying wood in damp soil. 


This tiny specimen (below) was found in my yard, and photographed in my studio. It is an isopod just like Bathynomus giganteus, but this one is called Porcellio scaber or a common rough woodlouse.



common rough woodlouse (Porcellio scaber)





common rough woodlouse (Porcellio scaber)


This species is actually native to europe but has colonized North America.