Say hello to my little friend, Squiggy!

My husband and I made a quick stop in an oddities-type store in Baltimore, Maryland the other day. While we were there I stumbled across something that caught my eye (Let's be honest . . . everything in the shop caught my eye).  The object that caught my eye was a green ball in a water-filled jar. It actually looked like a tiny aquarium. After looking at it closer I realized it was a Marimo Ball Terrarium.  

Marimo Moss Balls are actually algae. The word Marimo originates from Japan and means "ball of seaweed".  The Marimo Balls are known to form in the following areas only; Australia, Estonia, Iceland, Japan and Scotland.

Domestic Marimo Balls can be cared for quite easily. They can be placed in tap water with the water being changed every one or two weeks. They also do well in normal household lighting or indirect sunlight areas. 

You can have them in a container by themselves or you can add them to fish aquariums. They would be a wonderful addition to a Betta fish home.

They have a long life span, lasting decades with proper care and maintenance.

Origin:  In 1823 an Austrian Botanist, named Doctor Anton Sauter, was the first person to discover the Marimo Moss Balls in Lake Zeller, Austria.  Shortly after this they were discovered by Tetsuya Kawakami in Lake Akan, Japan.

Growth:  Marimo Balls grow very slowly, at a rate of 5 millimeters per year.

There are three different ways that the Marimo Moss Balls grow.  First, they grow on the shady side of rocks. Second, they grow free floating, creating a blanket or carpet-like area at the bottom of a lake. Lastly, they grew just like a ball, with densely packed algal filaments in the center. 

Fun Facts:

*     Marimo Balls are considered to be a good luck charm for prosperity and love. 

*     For three days in early October, Japan holds a festival, Marimo Matsuri, honoring and
       conserving these green beauties.

*     Germans call them Russian Moosballen.

Here area a few photographs of my Marimo Moss Ball which I have affectionately named Squiggy.  I added the two small seashells to the jar for some color contrast. 

And here is Squiggy along with two other friends, Lenny the Leach (wet specimen) and the Creature From the Black Lagoon.