A Taste of Prehistoric Times
The age of the dinosaurs has long been extinct. We only see creatures like the Tyrannosaurus Rex or Triceratops in pictures and replicas at local museums or theme parks. We hear about the prehistoric period in science class, read about it in books, or watch films set during this time. The facts about life before we existed are fascinating to many of us. In not knowing exactly how it was when dinosaurs roamed the earth, most of us use our imagination to picture what life was like back then. Well, Triops do exist.
Little do some of us know that we can have a part of prehistoric times in our homes. No, we are not talking about cockroaches! We are talking about Triops –little freshwater shrimps that we can have as pets that have lived for more than 220 million years!
Triops, usually called Dinosaur Shrimp, Shield Shrimp, or Tadpole Shrimp, have watched and outlived the dinosaurs and giant mammals’ extinction. They continued to live in bodies of fresh water and have now become our pets. Their ability to withstand the test of time is why people call them “living fossils.” You can easily ensure that they are here to stay for good by being the owner of this prehistoric pet. Don’t worry; unlike dinosaurs, Triops won’t bite you!
The Three-Eyed Creature
Do they have three eyes? Yes! Aside from the fact that they are the oldest creatures in existence, a Triops appearance is something that intrigues many. They have three eyes because of an evolutionary process. Like most creatures, Triops use two eyes to search for food and stay away from predators. However, the third eye on top of its head is for detecting light. Having three eyes is the reason why they have their very name. “Triops” loosely translates to “three eyes” in Greek.
Aside from the fact that their eyes will probably interest you, their legs will also catch your attention. If you ever wondered how Triops breathe underwater, the answer is simple: they breathe through their legs! Unlike fishes that have gills on the sides of their bodies, these creatures have gills on their legs.
Like the shrimps we are used to seeing today, Triops have an exoskeleton called a “carapace.” It means that, unlike most animals with their skeletons inside their bodies, these creatures have their frames (structures) outside their bodies, allowing them to both move and serve as their protection.
Hatch And Grow Your Triops Eggs
It is infrequent to see your pets hatch before your eyes. Most of us purchase pets already born, and only a few see them during their births. It is certainly not the case for Triops.
You must purchase Triops eggs and not the Triops themselves. Upon buying the eggs, follow the directions on hatching them (to be discussed later) and watch them grow right before you. If you are wondering how Triops eggs can survive unhatched, the reason is that they can stay dormant as eggs for over fifteen years. Their eggs develop a protective shell that allows this to happen – which is also one of the reasons they survived beyond dinosaur extinction. Triops can reproduce eggs without partners. It is called “asexual reproduction.” Unlike other species that must engage in reproductive activity with each other to be able to lay eggs.
Some people worry that the Triops eggs they purchase are from the wild. Triops eggs are raised and cared for by humans in laboratories to make them pets at home. You can even hatch the eggs that your pet Triops lay. Remember that certain species of Triops are almost extinct in some countries, and taking them from the wild is wrong and illegal. So, make sure you buy your Triops eggs from a reputable toy or pet store, and, of course, it should be from a reputable brand. You can purchase a packet of Triops eggs and set up the rest of the tank yourself. You can also buy Triops kits to save the hassle of finding the other materials needed for the setup. The kits from Toyops either come with a hatching dish or tank, and both options provide food for your prehistoric baby pets.
Short And Sweet Life Of Triops
Unlike other pets, the life span of Triops is relatively short. On average, Triops live for eight weeks (two months) but can last for as long as fourteen weeks (three and a half months). Since Triops live in ponds that quickly dry up, they had to adapt to their environment’s short life span by having eggs that could withstand the test of time. It is called “diapause,” which is the delay in development to allow species like these prehistoric pets to multiply despite harsh environmental situations.
Though they do not live as long as other pets, the experience counts. You will be a part of every aspect of your Triops development as you see them grow before your eyes.
Triops do not live long, so you do not have to feel bad when you lose them. After all, this is how they evolved. Plus, you can quickly hatch the eggs your pet Triops have left. So, you will have a limitless supply of eggs if you care for them properly.
You will be amazed at how these creatures maximize their short life span. From eggs that are smaller than grains of sand, you will see them grow up to two to four inches (about six to eleven centimeters) in length.
The Triops Cancriformis species, which grows the biggest at up to four inches and lives the longest of up to fourteen weeks, is found throughout Europe. On the other hand, the Triops Longicaudatus from America grows up to two inches, lives up to eight weeks long, and is commonly available in stores.
Maintain And Multiply
Many people wonder about the cost of maintaining a pet Triops. More specifically, they wonder how much it would cost to set up a tank and feed their pets over and above the expenses of purchasing a kit. Well, the purchase and maintenance of Triops eggs are relatively inexpensive, with everything costing less than $20 (US) if you use your materials.
Triops eggs cost about $6 on average, while your tank could cost you any amount between $6 to $10. You will only have to spend about $4 on bottled distilled water. Other materials such as a thermometer and lamp are items you probably already have! You do not have to worry about food since most Triops eggs come with food, and you can make your food.
If you want to spare yourself the time of purchasing the materials from different sources, buying a complete set is also an option. A pack that contains the hatching dish, eggs, thermometer, and measuring device will cost you less than $9. However, you may have to buy a larger tank for your pets as they grow and multiply. The complete setup with a tank, hatching dish, thermometer, measuring device, food, and gravel/sand will cost you a little over $35, depending on how luxurious you want your pets to look. Even specialty tanks from Toyops can serve as lavish homes for your prehistoric pets.
If you want to continue caring for Triops, and we are confident you will want to, it will cost you very little. As mentioned, you can hatch the eggs that your pets lay. Moreover, when you already have a complete setup at hand, all you have to do is purchase the eggs.
Now that you know all the basics about these fantastic pets, it is your turn to hatch, maintain, and care for your own Triops. Read on to learn about all the details on how to be a responsible owner of these prehistoric pets.