Giant Shrimp-Like Animals Found

Scientists have discovered a new species of giant amphipods, or shrimp-like animals, in one of the world’s deepest ocean trenches. The Kermadec Trench is found off of the northern coast of New Zealand. The largest of the amphipods is an amazing 11 inches (28 centimeters) long. “Amphipods are common to deep-sea trenches, but they’re usually 2 to 3 centimeters [about an inch] long. They turn up in a matter of minutes like a swarm of bees and simply devour all of the bait,” said Alan Jamieson, a marine biologist at the University of Aberdeen and co-leader of the expedition that found the animals.

Learn about the giant amphipods and see more pictures on National Geographic News.

Play Zipper’s Great Barrier Grrr-eef on National Geographic Kids.

Photograph courtesy Oceanlab, University of Aberdeen

Comments

dv55555
February 9, 2012, 4:46 pm

WOW, it’s great to learn about these weird creatures!
Keep up the good work guys!
FIRST COMMENT!
NatureGirl
February 10, 2012, 5:09 am

These things are so cool! What are they called? Keep up the great work!
dch789
February 11, 2012, 10:33 am

WOAH THOSE THINGS LOOK CREEPY O.o
dch789
February 11, 2012, 10:34 am

are they spiky? Their tails look pointy O.O
Thunderstar18
February 11, 2012, 3:11 pm

Cool and creepy.
barnowl24601
February 14, 2012, 6:40 pm

This is so cool I love learning about all these new finds!!!!
And guys, I mean an 11 inch long anthropoid that is crazy talk!
But I guess that these were sighted, recorded and classified as “shrimp”
I guess we can trust this peice of information!

Barnowl24601
Brainy101
March 10, 2012, 12:21 pm

They look weird!! fantastic about finding them though.
h2olover
April 3, 2012, 8:22 pm

Haha get it guys? A giant shrinp? Think about it it’s pretty funny. But very cool, and barnowl24601 I agree I love reading about new species!
Saba123
August 24, 2012, 7:14 am

yuck
gummybears
February 18, 12:11 pm

those are giant.my stepdad said he saw these before.