Monday, May 24, 2004

Triassic Triops

When I was a kid, it seemed like everyone tried Sea Monkeys at some point.

But this is the 21st century, and it seems like Sea Monkeys are being replaced by Triassic Triops. We bought Leigh some for Mother's day, and they are amazing.



This is the third batch we have raised. You pour the eggs into a liter of water. The next day you have five to ten tiny specks swimming around. In just two weeks or so they grow to the size shown above -- about as big as a U.S. quarter. After four to six weeks they have passed away and you are done with them.

They are now available in Wal-Mart, over by the fish food. They cost $3 or $4. Well worth it if you have small kids, because everything happens in a kid-friendly time frame.

Comments:
Triops longicaudatus is found in freshwater ponds and pools, often in places where few higher forms of life can exist. Like its relative Triops cancriformis, the longtail tadpole shrimp is considered a living fossil because its basic pre-historic morphology has changed little in the last 70 million years, exactly matching their ancient fossils. Triops longicaudatus is one of the oldest animal species still in existence
 
Wonderful information. I will go to share this to my friends...
 
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