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You Are Bidding On 1 of 5 Triops Refill Kits (Does Not Include Tank) Comes with: Eggs, Water Purifier and Food
FREE DELIVERY
The "Triops" name comes from the Greek phrase meaning "three eyes."
If you look closely at this picture, you will see that the Triops, indeed, has three eyes!This is because they date back to the time of the dinosaurs, they are also called dinosaur shrimp.Some people call them tadpole shrimp because of their shape, which is similar to the tadpole of a frog.
Ttiops are crustaceans that look like miniature horseshoe crabs. Larger members of the crustacean family include crabs and lobsters. Smaller members are brine shrimp, fairy shrimp and daphnia. Triops have a relatively short lifespan of 20 to 90 days and grow quickly to their adult length of 1 to 2 inches. How large they grow depends on the amount of light and food they recieve. After hatching, they often double in size daily!
UNCHANGED FOR MILLIONS OF YEARS
Triassic Triops are actual prehistoric creatures which are identical to their prehistoric ancestors.
Triops survived the centuries during interrupted states of suspended animation or 'diapause'. The suspended animation enables the Triops to survive seasonal drought.
MORE ABOUT SUSPENDED ANIMATION
Scientists have found that Triops' eggs can remain in this no-growth state of suspended animation for more than 15 years. Researchers also have learned that at the same time the embryos enter diapause, their eggs develop a thick, drought-resistant shell, or chorion. This may be why millions of years after the last dinosaur walked from the planet, Triops are still going strong. In addition to Triops, other animals enter diapause during conditions that are unfavorable for growth. The list includes crustaceans / fish / insects / chickens, and even deer.
Researchers are studying diapause to see how it might benefit humans. These benefits could include retarding the aging process, arresting the growth of cancer, and even extending space travel.
WHERE DO TRIOPS NORMALLY GROW ?
Triops grow in many parts of the world, including:
HOW DO TRIOPS REPRODUCE ?
Because Triops live in temporary ponds that dry up with the change of seasons, they must complete their life cycle and reproduce within a very short period of time. The adult Triops die when the ponds disappear, so survival of these crustaceans depend on the eggs deposited deep in the mud or substrate. Certain members of the genus Triops are capable of single-parent reproduction, while others utilize sexual reproduction.
SO, WE ASK, "ARE THESE REALLY PREHISTORIC CREATURES ?
Yes! When Triops first appeared on the earth, the continents as we know them today were still unformed. The earth consisted of one large ocean and a single land mass known as Pangaea. Later, when dramatic upheavals divided the body of land and formed today's continents, our hearty little Triops continued to inhabit temporary ponds all over the world!
OK...THEN HOW DID TRIOPS OUTLIVE THE DINOSAUR ?
The Triops eggs we buy in kits today were raised on special aquatic farms, but in nature they inhabit temporary ponds all over the world. These ponds usually dry up during certain times of the year when there is no rainfall. Although the adult Triops die during these droughts, the embryos remain in a state of diapause until the rains return and fill up the temporary ponds once again, making it safe for them to hatch.
