I got one of these as a gift, and it's kind of cool. There are actual, live, tiny little shrimp in these, and they do scurry around now and then.

If you leave it in too much light, algae will start to grow. It really is a mini ecosystem on your shelf! Plus it's just a cool glass orb to have around - you can never have too many glass orbs.

There are shrimpies!

My friend gave me her ecosphere when she moved to India 4 years ago and couldn't take it on the plane. Now, whenever I come home from school, it's still doing its thing in my room. I can't believe the shrimp have survived this long. Truly proves how self-sustainable an ecosystem can be. It seriously feels like they are going to live forever without any help from the outside world. I'm actually kind of freaked out because I'm pretty sure they're going to outlive all of us.

* (via MaggieLuvs2Shop)

this is an briliant gift idea, i am ordering one now

Gotta get something for that someone who likes unique adornments? You can hold a world in the palm of your hand. Developed by NASA, the EcoSphere is a complete, closed bio-regenerative ecological system, sealed in hand blown glass. Contains earth, water, air, and life (algae, shrimp, and microbes that provide each other with nutrients). All this 4" sphere needs to sustain itself is indirect sunlight. Great last minute gift! (via Target)

I had one...it lastest for years. Loved it.

I think this is my perfect solution to my desire to have a pet. (via joox)