lepidopteraqueen:

毬藻 its alive! this marimo is about 6 years old. 

The bottom of Lake Akan in Hokkaido Japan is inhabited by miraculously spherical rare algae called “marimo.” In 1921 they were declared a “Japanese Natural Treasure” and the public’s interest in Marimo was stirred. Many Japanese have Marimo as pets in their homes and offices. They are beautifully soft and smooth like velvet and are very easy to care for. 

Marimo are happiest when they are in filtered water.
Just change their water once a week.

Marimo like baths!
Sometimes you will see cloudy bits of filth clinging to the Marimo. Simply run the marimo under the kitchen sink and he will be clean and very thankful.

Marimo can thrive wonderfully in artificial light but they do NOT like direct sun light. 
When you receive your Marimo it will probably float for a while on the surface, this is the Marimo’s natural way of getting lots of light and then once its had enough he will float down to the bottom. 

In the waters of lake Akan the Marimo bounce around in the lakes current and the current helps them grow into their nice spherical shape so they like to be poked, and moved around. This also helps them get even lighting. its perfectly safe to hold Marimo. Marimo are great pets for children.

Marimo grow 5mm a year and live to be over 100!

(via Giant Japanese Marimo Moss Ball by MilkyLeaf on Etsy)

(via mhmassacre)