Sea Monkeys are actual living pets. When in their egg form they are in a state of "Suspended Animation."
They do not age or grow in this form and can stay that way for many years. In that sense, they are time travellers.
But when added to water in the right conditions, they are brought to life. Soon they will be swimming around and will quickly grow.

They belong to the crustaceans family, such as crabs. They are a form of brine shrimp (Artemia Salina). Sea Monkeys are known as "Artemia nyos"
("nyos" being an acronym for "New York Ocean Science Laboratories" where the first "Sea Monkey" Artemia were bred).
They grow faster, grow bigger and live longer than regular Brine shrimp.

They are very friendly, the young do not need separating from the adults, they will not cannabilize each other!
As pets, the cycle of life continues. You can leave them to have babies, which in turn will have babies and this colony can go on for a few years.

They are attracted to the light and will follow the light. So they are open for a few light chasing tricks!

Sea Monkeys are not toxic or harmful in anyway.

They are born with one eye, that separates into 2, so now they have 3 eyes! but the third eye is lost as they mature further.
So back to regular old 2 eyes!
They also breathe through their legs.

Note to remember

Please note though, the pictures of the Sea Monkeys you will often find are "fanciful" images, and the actual Sea Monkeys are "slightly" different.
All I can say to that is, a movie is not always a good representative of life, but we still watch and like them!

Please don't let this put you off though.
They are great for learning about responsibility for children, and a low-maintenance pet for adults.

And who knows... a bit of toxic waste here and there...
Your Sea Monkeys may just end up walking and talking ;-)