Deep-Sea Creature Can Survive Over 5 Years Without Food

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Beijing:Giant deep-sea isopods can survive for more than five years without eating, thanks to a combination of large food-storage organs, slow metabolism and helpful bacteria, according to a new study published in Cell.

Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences found that the crustaceans have evolved unique ways to cope with the extreme food shortages of the deep ocean, where meals can be rare.

The animals have unusually large stomachs that allow them to store massive amounts of food when it becomes available and use the nutrients gradually over several years.

Scientists also identified a gene that appears to help the creatures regulate energy use and improve survival during long periods of starvation and in cold conditions.

Researchers say the findings improve understanding of deep-sea life and could aid research into medicine, energy conservation and technologies designed for extreme environments.