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Triops
If you want a pet and you aren't allowed to have one or you just love strange-looking creatures, you're going to love Triops. Triops are small swimming crustaceans which resemble horseshoe crabs. They have three eyes, a round shovel-shaped exoskeleton, and a shrimp-like tail. Because they look prehistoric and in fact are identical to their long-fossilized ancestors, they are sometimes called "dinosaur shrimp." In the wild, Triops live in shallow ponds, which dry up seasonally. However, their eggs are able to survive for months to years before the pond fills again. What makes them gratifying as pets is that they hatch in 18-48 hours, quickly grow to their adult size of 1-2 inches, and have a lifespan of 20-90 days. Plus, they're easy to take care of, animated, and large enough to watch!
When getting started with your Triops, the manufacturer suggests that you boil bottled water and let it sit and cool before adding the eggs. Although they have added buffers to address quality inconsistencies in bottled water, this will help remove chlorine and any other impurities. You may also choose to try tap water, if you boil it and let it sit for 2 days in the light. Add only 25 Triops eggs at a time to the environment, in case there is an issue with the water and you need to start again.
