Dear God, No! Horrible, nightmarish isopod

[broberfett]

I read this story about freaky animals that are really monstrous. The last one on the list, the parasitic isopod, is the stuff of nightmares.
http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2009/09/when-nature-is-freakier-than-sci-fi/

 

[RoJoHen]

I didn't even know fish had tongues.

 

[broberfett]

I didn't even know fish had tongues.

Now you know! And knowing is half the battle!

 

[Middle Earther]

The ribbed newt reminded me of Wolverine. That isopod is freaky!

 

[auntiehill]

The last one on the list, the parasitic isopod, is the stuff of nightmares.
http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2009/09/when-nature-is-freakier-than-sci-fi/

Oh JESUS! That's seriously nasty. That thing is freakin' huge. BLEH!

 

[Deranged Nasat]

It tries to look all innocent in the photo, legs curled in, head down, like it's trying to appear cute...yeah, you're not fooling anyone, isopod.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

I had no idea how big an isopod could get. In case you don't know, here is a picture for reference. *shudder*

 

[Gary Mitchell]

I wonder if those isopods would be tasty with some melted butter.

 

[Cutter John]

You're welcome.

 

[Deranged Nasat]

^^

 

[Leroy]

If only one could genetically engineer a kinder gentler version that doesn't eat the tongue and only feeds off of leftover food particles we'd have our very first Dentik.

 

[broberfett]

Right now some sick scientist is probably making a version that eats a human tongue.

 

[ITL]

Right now some sick scientist is probably making a version that eats a human tongue.

Or, you know....not.

I have a feeling that I may be right. Just a hunch.

 

[Gepard]

Little land-bound pillbugs are close relatives of the marine version, so I've always sort of liked isopods. Plus they look like they've got personality.

Plus, somebody made a plush version. You can't not love that.

 

[Sephiroth]

I had no idea how big an isopod could get. In case you don't know, here is a picture for reference. *shudder*

KILL IT!!!! KILL IT WITH FIRE!!!!!!!!!

 

[Unicron]

Anyone else notice that the fish seems to have what looks like human teeth? Maybe it's just a weird trick of the image, but I also kind of wonder if it means the isopod could be faked. It seems a little strange too that a parasite which disables its host's tongue and presumably eats its food wouldn't cause significant harm to the host, which can't get food apparently.

 

[Kelthaz]

I had no idea how big an isopod could get. In case you don't know, here is a picture for reference. *shudder*

KILL IT!!!! KILL IT WITH FIRE!!!!!!!!!

I second that.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

Anyone else notice that the fish seems to have what looks like human teeth? Maybe it's just a weird trick of the image, but I also kind of wonder if it means the isopod could be faked. It seems a little strange too that a parasite which disables its host's tongue and presumably eats its food wouldn't cause significant harm to the host, which can't get food apparently.

Actually, it taps into the tongue's blood supply, which gradually shrivels the tongue. The isopod then attaches to the muscle remnant and becomes the fish's new tongue--functioning just like the original, but eating some of what passes into the fish's mouth, too.

It basically mimics the original organ without causing any adverse effects to the fish.

It's fucked up!

 

[JonathonWally]

And it has chrome eyes, which is just fucking cool.

 

[broberfett]

I noticed the human looking teeth and I'm not around fish enough to know if they do indeed have tongues.