All About Sea Monkeys
Sea monkeys have been popular pets among children and adults
for
almost 50 years, and they are presently being sold in many countries
around the world. Their lively nature does not only offer great
entertainment, but they can help people develop a better understanding
of marine life as well.
Sea monkeys were first introduced in the year 1957 by a
marketer
called Harold van Braunhut. They were initially called "Instant Life",
because they hatch instantly when the eggs come into contact with tap
water. Later on, van Braunhut decided to use a more recognizable name
for the creatures, and they became known as "Sea Monkeys". In the
1970s, sea monkeys were widely marketed in comic books, and they were
inaccurately portrayed as humanoid creatures with crowns on their
heads. These appealing drawings helped the creatures gain popularity,
and many people became attracted to their strange appearance and
playful demeanor. Later on, accessories such as floating balls were
added to the sea monkey kit, which initially consisted of only a
plastic tank and packets of food. Now, a starter kit comes with a
plastic tank, a sea monkey eggs packet, food, and a spoon for measuring
food.
Sea monkeys belong to the genus Artemia, and they are
specifically
known as Artemia NYOS. They are actually a hybrid of brine shrimps, and
they are created in laboratories. Before sea monkey eggs are placed in
packets and distributed to homes or stores, they will undergo the
process of "cryptobiosis", which puts them in suspended animation. The
eggs will hatch when they are released into water, and sea monkeys will
appear. Sea monkeys are multi-cell creatures, and they can grow to a
length of one-half to three-quarters of an inch.
One of the reasons why sea monkeys are so popular among pet
owners
is because they are easy to care for. The first thing to do after
bringing the sea monkey kit home is to wash the tank with warm water.
Then, use distilled or bottled water to fill up the tank and put the
water purifier in the tank. Wait for 24 hours before putting the sea
monkey eggs into the tank, and then, use a stick to stir the water
gently. The eggs should hatch within a day's time. The tank water
should be aerated once every 24 hours. Use a large container to hold
the tank water and pour the water several times between the container
and the tank. A small air pump can also be used to aerate the water.
Start giving food to the sea monkeys after five days, with the use of
the measuring spoon. After that, they should be fed once every week.
One thing that makes sea monkeys endearing to their owners is
that
they can perform tricks. Owners can make them dance and create a
whirlpool. Turn off the lights and shine a flashlight at the tank. Move
the flashlight in zig zags and small loops, and the sea monkeys will
appear as if they are dancing when they are following the light. Turn
the flashlight around the tank, and they will follow the light and
create a whirlpool.
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