Triops Longicaudatus
Triops Longicaudatus Red
Triops Longicaudatus
Triops Longicaudatus Red
Triops food
Sea almond leaf
Aquarium filter
Lighting
Substrate
Decoration
Heating
Cleaning
ThermometerGuide
Yps magazines and the cult gimmicks: How the prehistoric crabs conquered the world
If you grew up in the 70s, 80s or 90s, you probably held a Yps magazine in your hands at least once. These legendary comics and magazines were not only known for their exciting stories, but above all for one thing: their unique gimmicks. One gimmick in particular stood out and has been etched deep into our collective memory – the prehistoric crabs. Decades before I founded the online shop Triops Galaxy and bred my first Triops, they were included as a supplement in the Yps magazine. In this blog article, I take a look back at the time when Triops and prehistoric crayfish became popular through Yps magazines.
The launch of the Yps magazines and the beginning of a cult era
The first Yps magazine was published in Germany on 13 October 1975. Originally conceived purely as a comic book for children and young people, it quickly became an absolute bestseller thanks to its enclosed gimmicks. These small additions, often made of plastic, cardboard or simple material, were simple but extremely innovative – and something very special for children. In addition to the enjoyment of the stories in the magazine, the gimmicks were a real incentive to buy each new Yps. The creativity of the gimmicks ranged from simple gadgets such as parachutes and mini-games to science-themed experiments – and this is where the prehistoric crabs came into play. These special gifts were not only entertaining, but also educational and playfully encouraged an interest in biology and science.
The surprise in the magazine became Yps’ trademark. One of the best-known and most popular gimmicks ever were undoubtedly the prehistoric crabs, which were first included in a magazine in 1978. Their popularity grew rapidly and they quickly became synonymous with the fascination of the Yps gimmicks. The introduction of the prehistoric crabs came at a time when topics such as science and technology were increasingly finding their way into children’s bedrooms. Parents appreciated the educational aspect of the gimmick, while children were excited by the idea of bringing their own creatures to life. This unique combination made the Yps magazines an unmistakable part of pop culture.
The hype surrounding prehistoric crabs
Prehistoric crabs are small crustaceans that belong to the so-called fairy crabs (Artemia salina). They have existed for millions of years and are able to survive extreme conditions. Their eggs can fall into dry rigour and come back to life as soon as they come into contact with water. It was almost magical for the children at the time: a sachet of strange-looking ‘crystals’ that you simply put in water and suddenly tiny animals were ‘living’ in it. It was like a little natural wonder in the nursery.
The Yps booklets encouraged an interest in science and biology in a playful way. Many children had their first contact with the world of aquaristics and animal husbandry through the booklet. The prehistoric crayfish were an absolute hit – they were a source of amazement, curiosity and conversation in the school playground.
A few years later, another sensation followed: the Triops. These prehistoric crustaceans are considered to be somewhat larger and more imposing. They have a shell that makes them look almost like miniature dinosaurs – another reason why they became so popular with children.
How does breeding work?
The principle behind the prehistoric crayfish is fascinatingly simple: the eggs of the Artemia crayfish are in a permanent form. This means that they survive even under extreme conditions such as heat or drought. However, as soon as the eggs come into contact with water and the conditions are right (right temperature and some salinity), the life cycle of the prehistoric crayfish begins. Within a few hours or days, the larvae, known as nauplii, hatch. They develop into adult crabs in a gradual process. The animals are completely harmless and feed on tiny algae or special nutrient liquid, which was often included in the set.
The Yps primeval crabs were much more than just a toy. They awakened the spirit of discovery and invited children to carry out small experiments at home.
- How long do prehistoric crabs live?
- What happens if the water is too cold or too hot?
- What do they eat when the food from the booklet has been used up?
These questions inspired them to look at biology, life cycles and scientific principles. This was absolutely revolutionary for a children’s magazine at the time.
The rebirth of prehistoric crabs
The success of prehistoric crabs was mainly due to the combination of play, science and fantasy. The Yps booklet created an experience: you didn’t just get a gimmick, you got a project. You were the researcher, the discoverer, the scientist in your own little laboratory. Many people lovingly cared for the pots with the little crabs, watched them and hoped that they would live as long as possible. Sometimes the disappointment was great when nothing happened, but the magic remained.
It was this mix of anticipation, patience and the fascination of creating something living that made the experience so special. Even if it didn’t always work out, the prehistoric crabs taught us something: responsibility, patience and the joy of observing nature. Many may also remember how these small animals became topics of conversation at school. Who had the biggest, the most or the most active crabs? It was a social and playful competition that became a childhood highlight for many children.
Even today, decades later, the Yps primeval crabs have not been forgotten. With the reissue of the Yps magazine in 2012, the cult gimmicks returned and made the hearts of adults beat faster. Many former fans bought the new issues out of nostalgia and passed the little wonder animals on to their own children. In addition, prehistoric crabs and Triops are now also available in stores as separate sets and continue to generate enthusiasm. Triops Galaxy has been offering Triops breeding kits and prehistoric crayfish sets for end customers since 2020. Our customers include private individuals, companies, nurseries and universities.
Conclusion: A little piece of nostalgia
Triops not only offer an exciting nature experience, but also an insight into the evolution and adaptability of these prehistoric creatures. If you follow the steps consistently, you will have a lot of fun observing the development of Triops and experiencing their amazing way of life at close quarters. The prehistoric crabs from the Yps booklets have delighted generations of children and awakened a fascination for nature and biology. Today they are a cult symbol for many adults who grew up with Yps. So if you find an old Yps magazine with a prehistoric crab gimmick somewhere, you should treasure it. Maybe you’ll even try the experiment again and bring a little piece of prehistoric times back to life. Did you also breed the Yps primeval crayfish back then? What memories do you have of it? Let me know in the comments!
- Yps magazines and the cult gimmicks: How the prehistoric crabs conquered the world - 20. December 2024
- Palaeontology: Species of pterosaur discovered in Argentina - 18. December 2024
- AI and palaeontology: more dinosaurs once lived in the UK than previously thought - 17. December 2024
