You are about to witness the birth and life of creatures that evolved more than 350 million years ago. For comparison, we humans have been on earth for about 2 million years.

Since that time, continents drifted apart, dinosaurs and thousands of other animal species evolved and went extinct, ice ages passed, humans emerged, entire civilizations rose and fell. Yet Aquasaurs managed to survive, endure and thrive.

Scientists have given them the long name, Triops Longicaudatus, but we call them Aquasaurs.

Aquasaurs are fresh water animals that belong to the class crustacean. They are related to shrimps, crabs and lobsters. Some people call them tadpole shrimp because of their similarity to frog tadpoles. They also resemble trilobites - extinct creatures that lived more than 500 million years ago - so they are sometimes called "living fossils."

How were they able to survive for so long? The answer is in their eggs. Aquasaurs live in small temporary ponds. They lay their eggs in the bottom silt. Whenever the pond dries out, as during the hot summer season, the eggs can stay in a kind of "sleep mode" or suspended animation, called diapause. They can remain this way for up to 20 years! They can resist extremely hot or cold temperatures as well as very dry conditions. When rainfall returns and ponds reappear, the eggs hatch and new Aquasaurs are born, beginning their life cycle again.

Once your Aquasaur eggs have hatched, you will see them grow very quickly. With proper care Aquasaurs can double their size every day! Depending on how much food and light they are given, your Aquasaurs can grow up to two inches long and live 20 to 90 days.

Included in your Aquasaurs Kit are:

• Aquasaur habitat (tank, lid, magnifier feeding cap, base)
• Stick-on thermometer
• Bag of gravel
• Pack of Aquasaur eggs
• Pack of Aquasaur food
• Two plastic stirrers
• Guide to Aquasaurs

You need to provide bottles of spring water (available at your local food market), paper, scissors and disposable cups.

Q: How many Aquasaurs will hatch?
A: The egg pack contains about 50 Aquasaur eggs. By splitting this in half you will get about 25 . However, not all the Aquasaurs will survive. This is normal. You will have one or two left that will be strong enough to grow to adults.

Q: How long will my Aquasaurs live?
A: With proper care, Aquasaurs will live 20 to 90 days.

Q: How big will my Aquasaurs get?
A: An Aquasaur can grow up to two inches in length, including its tail.

Q: How can I help my Aquasaurs grow faster?
A: Aquasaurs need four main things in order to grow: Water, light, warmth and food. Make sure that you provide these four things according to the directions in the guide booklet.

Q: Why do I need to use bottled spring water? Can't I just use tap water?
A: No. Tap water contains chlorine, which can harm Aquasaurs. Bottled spring water contains no chlorine, but still provides essential minerals.

Q: What is in the Aquasaurs food?
A: The included Aquasaurs Food contains the proper amounts of proteins, carbs, vitamins and minerals that your Aquasaurs need to grow and be healthy.

Q: Can I feed my Aquasaurs regular fish food?
A: Yes, you can feed them goldfish food, but only the kind that sinks to the bottom. Do not use flake food.

Q: Do I have to keep a light over the habitat on all the time?
A: No, only if it is needed to help keep the water temperature between the correct range of 72° to 80° F (22° to 31° C). If the water stays within this range without a light, then you need to provide light to the habitat from another source, such as a fluorescent desk lamp.