A giant isopod, which looks like something out of Star Trek that burrows into your brain, has become the wonder of the internet since initial pictures appeared this week. This cozy little critter, also called Bathynomus Giganteus, managed to hitch a ride on a remotely operated survey submarine at a depth of 8,500 feet. Upon surfacing, its mysterious appearance and horrifying size baffled all, and one technician took to posting pictures on Reddit to help identify the thing. He posts, "I work for a Sub-sea Survey Company, recently this beast came up attached to one of our ROVs. It measures a wee bit over 2.5 feet head to tail, and we expect it latched onto the ROV at roughly 8,500 feet depth. Unfortunately, the e-mail that these pictures were attached to came from a contractor, and the ship he was operating from (and therefore location) is unknown, so I can't tell you what part of the Earth this beast was living. What is this, Reddit? Is it edible?"

If you're hoping that this is an April Fool's hoax, no such luck. Assistant Director of Science for the National Evolutionary Synthesis Center, Craig McClain, confirms its existence to MSNBC: "I've seen the pictures, and they are real, and they really do get that big." While the isopod can normally grow to about 20 inches or so, the one in the pictures is 30 inches, and there is a possibility for even bigger ones out there. If your love of lake swimming is dwindling fast, don't worry, there's not much chance you'll come across one of these firsthand. They're mostly found in the cold, deep waters of oceans like the Atlantic. "They're really common in the deep water in the Gulf of Mexico," McClain said.

Though it has a face that no one could love, the giant isopod is harmless - almost the gentle giant of underwater bugs. Resembling a well-fed pillbug that you would find in your garden, this one dwells instead at sea depths below 1,200 feet depths that even the most determined scuba diver can't reach. Despite feasting on dead whales, carrion, and other good eats, some still believe that the isopod tastes a lot better than it looks. These critters are a common fixture in Taiwan, where they are boiled and enjoyed at seaside restaurants. Tastes like lobster, they say, but I'll just stick with regular lobster.

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