[6] With the exception of the eyes, certain mouthparts and feet, the whole surface of the animal has minute cuticular outgrowths of feathery hairs and knobbly scales.

[7] Glyptonotus antarcticus is native to the Southern Ocean around Antarctica, where it occurs in large numbers.

[8][9] That the available food supply may be fairly constant is shown by the fact that it breeds at any time of year.

[10] Given its abundance and the fact that it is relatively easy to keep in aquaria, Glyptonotus antarcticus has become an important model organism used as a research object in ecological, biochemical and physiological studies.

[2][11][12] A 2005 genetic study suggested that Glyptonotus antarcticus may in fact represent several distinct species.