Sea-Monkeys

For other uses, see Seamonkey.

For zoological information about this species, see [[:Brine shrimp]].

Sea-Monkeys (sometimes Sea Monkeys) is a brand name of a variant (known as Artemia salina nyos or Artemia nyos) of Artemia salina, a species of brine shrimp, a type of fairy shrimp – not true shrimp, but a branchiopod. The term "Sea-Monkeys" is a trademark used to sell them as a novelty pet, often advertised in comic books. Brine shrimp originate in salt lakes and evaporation flats.

Biology

Sea-Monkeys can reproduce both boh chic a wa wasexually (requiring a male and a female) and asexually. When the eggs are produced, there are fewer males than females, probably because they are not essential for reproduction. Females stop reproducing with the males when the males are too few.

Sea-Monkeys have been cited in studies of DNA and sexual behavior, primarily because they are commonly available specimens.

Sea-Monkeys are a cultivated variety, possibly subspecies, of Artemia salina (brine shrimp), sometimes classified as a new species called Artemia nyos. They were bred for their larger size and longer lifespan, making them more suitable as pets than the original breed of brine shrimp. The U.S. patent 3,673,986 granted in 1972 describes this as "hatching brine shrimp or similar crustaceans in tap water to give the appearance of instantaneous hatching." Advertisements for Sea-Monkeys were widespread in comics in the 1970s, featuring drawings of smiling humanoid creatures that bore little resemblance to brine shrimp. Underneath these pictures was a disclaimer that stated, "Caricatures shown not intended to depict Artemia."

The key observation that allowed unhatched "Sea-Monkeys" to be cheaply packaged, shipped, and handled is that, in certain easily prepared environments, they enter cryptobiosis, a natural state of suspended animation. When released into their aquarium they leave this state and hatch.

Life cycle

To start the process, the 'water purifier' package is added to water on day one. The user is typically unaware that this package already contains eggs in addition to the salt. At day two, one adds the 'instant life eggs' package, containing Epsom salts, borax and soda ash, in addition to eggs, yeast, and sometimes a blue or green dye. The dye is used to enhance the 'instant life' experience by making the freshly hatched animals more visible. The Sea-Monkeys seen during the second day after adding the 'eggs package' are derived from the eggs added with the 'purifier' package. The food package is a mixture of Spirulina and dried yeast. The 'boost' packages mainly contain salts, which induce sexual activity in artemia.

Sea-Monkeys have a biological life cycle of one year, but thanks to their ability to enter cryptobiosis, the product guarantees that the Sea-Monkeys live for up to 2 years. This should be understood as the colony being able to sustain itself for two years.

History

Sea Monkeys were first marketed in 1957 by Harold von Braunhut as Instant Life, though Braunhut changed the name to "Sea-Monkeys" on May 10, 1962. Many types of Sea-Monkey kits are now available. The company produces the original Ocean View tank as well as a variety of other products. The Sea-Monkeys company is now part of the Educational Insights corporation, and as of 2005 it is headed by George C. Atamian and son-in-law David Horvitz.

Other companies have distributed pets/toys along the Sea-Monkey model, including one by Wham-O, and "The Swarm", a product from Dr. Jordan's Formulae. In the late 1970s to early 1980s, sachets of "Sea Monsters" were sold in 25-cent gumball machines at A&P supermarkets. When added to water, the packet's contents provided the eggs, salt and nutrients to hatch the brine shrimp.

More recently, an Australian company, Little Aussie Products, has marketed "Itsy Bitsy Sea Dragons", with a different brine shrimp species, Parartemia zietziana, and also including a purple sea snail.

A live-action television program, The Amazing Live Sea Monkeys, based on the comic book advertisements of the 1970s, was produced in 1992.

In popular culture

A similar fictional product, called "Sea People" was purchased by Eric Cartman in the South Park episode "The Simpsons Already Did It". It didn't take long before Cartman found out they were just brine shrimp, but when he added a bowl of semen to the Sea People container, the brine shrimp mutated into a highly advanced underwater civilization, eventually building statues of Cartman and Tweek after being relocated to an aquarium. Eventually further, the civilization destroyed itself with nuclear weapons while at war over who was the more superior of Cartman or Tweek.

There was also an episode of Family Guy where Chris was tapping the glass of the sea monkey's tank and the father sea monkey said "We have talked about this before Marie" because Marie the mother wanted to tell them to stop. An episode of American Dad also featured sea monkeys when Roger the alien raised his own sea monkeys, at least for a few seconds before he killed them by trying to give them champagne.

Sea-Monkeys have even been used as the theme of a slot machine.

References

• "Not From a Sea. Not Monkeys. Discuss." — The New York Times May 15, 2005 (registration required)
• U.S. patent 3,673,986

External links

• The official Sea-Monkeys website