What are Sea Monkeys?

Sea Monkeys are the fun lovable little creatures that are too small to hug, but are highly enjoyable if you have a hard time raising pets that need to be fed on a regular basis. These little creatures are probably one of the easiest pets to raise, and come in a package so no worrying about them wetting themselves on the way to your very own home. Not to mention you can bring them to your office too without worrying about them leaving poo poo in the corner.

But in all actuality, sea monkeys are nothing other than brine shrimp (Artemia Salina). One thing that's rather interesting are these are actually hybrid brine shrimp! They have been engineered to live longer and grow larger! What fun would it be to have a pet that lives a month then dies?

Brine shrimp are strong survivors. They have developed the ability to keep their eggs in suspended animation for years (cryptobiosis). That means that if these little creature's homes got all dried up for a couple years and then the rain finally gives them some swimming area, they can hatch and grow again doing their little flips and summersaults.

They came from the Great Salt Lake in Utah. Only this kind of shrimp could survive in those living conditions. They were very commonly used as live fish food because of their high protein value.

Who in their right minds would think of fish food as pets?

None other than the guy who invented X-ray glasses! A man by the name of Harold von Braunhut. This man saw a great, instant, pet that could teach children around the world the oddities of nature. The year was 1957 when Harold decided to market sea monkeys.

Originally the sea monkeys didn't sell at all. It wasn't that no one was buying them. It was that no one wanted to sell them! So Harold got the idea to place an ad for "instant life" inside comic magazines. Before you knew it, the sea monkey orders were flying in.

The Sea monkeys at the time were just raised in a jar of sorts. The pet needed a container that could easily show off the energetic creatures. Hence forth, the invention of the Micro-View Ocean Zoo. A perfect habitat for the sea monkeys.

What can Sea Monkeys do besides swim around?

Well, nothing much really. But their instincts can be used for some fun. Harold found that the sea monkeys naturally swam up-current. That means, if you introduce moving water to them, they naturally swim against it. So what can be more fun than to take your favorite sea monkey and race it against your friends? Harold then invented the Sea Monkey speed way. This little contraption would allow you to control the flow of the water so that you can race your little pets to see who's is faster.

Another somewhat fun thing is they naturally are attracted to light. You can take a pen light and shine it inside the aquarium and watch as they all move along with your pen. (If you are moving your pen, otherwise they'll just all gather around the light)

Plethora of different types of Sea Monkey accessories

All sorts of accessories can be purchased for the sea monkeys. The Aquarium alone has many variations.

• Micro-view ocean zoo
• Light up ocean of light
• Glow in the dark ghostly galleon
• The magic castle
• Space shuttle kit

As well as various items for their health like the million bubbles sea monkey aerator that is one of the wisest purchases you can possibly do for your sea monkeys. This product aerates the water to help your sea monkeys breathe. There is also the sea monkey leash that allows you to transport your sea monkeys from the aquarium to other various sea monkey holding items such as the aquarium pen, the aquarium watch or the sea monkey speedway (to race your sea monkeys). There’s also vitamins and enhancers for the sea monkeys like the packet of plasma that will help your sea monkeys grow faster and stronger.

Who should raise sea monkeys?

Really, just about anyone can raise Sea Monkeys. Their only requirement is the lack of direct sunlight, so an office space or desk drawer is perfect Any age can appreciate the animals' beauty whether you’re an adult stuck behind a desk or a kid confined to his room. (These do not need to be the exact specifications, only suggestions)

Why can't I grow my sea monkeys?

Most people don't like sea monkeys because they can't grow them. They really aren't hard to raise at all. First, you have to prepare the water. Most people mix everything together at once and expect the sea monkeys to be born. Well, you don't get anything but a jar of water if you do that. Here's some tips to keep them alive.

• Follow the directions that come with them
• Don't over feed them, once every 7 to 10 days
• Don't place them in regular water, they are salt water animals
• Keep the water in your aquarium the same level.

Conclusion

I hope this brief explanation of the Sea monkeys help you out. Please feel free to comment on anything written. Good luck on raising the best instant pet alive!

References

• Sea-Monkey Central
• 9th grade science class