Chiridotea coeca
# Chiridotea coeca

The sand isopod, Chiridotea coeca, is a species of isopod crustacean found in the western Atlantic Ocean, from Nova Scotia to Florida.

## Characteristics

Adult sand isopods are horizontally flattened. The thorax is almost round from above and the long, robust legs with large setae. The abdomen is short and pointed. Sand isopods reach 15 mm (0.59 in) long and 7 mm (0.28 in) wide. They use the last pair of legs to dig tunnels in sand. When removed from the tunnels (for instance, by wave action), sand isopods swim down to the substrate, where they dig underground again.

## Ecology

C. coeca feeds on carrion, which it holds with its gnathopods while chewing pieces off with its mandibles.

