I was blown away when I discovered what I'd been sent: an EcoSphere!

I'd never even heard of this thing, and it's amazing. It's an ecosystem with tiny shrimp swimming around inside. Sounds like Sea-Monkeys, right? Wrong! It's a sealed glass orb, completely self-contained and self-sustaining. To quote the included booklet:

"Light provides energy to both the algae and invisible bacteria living within your EcoSphere. The algae and bacteria are eaten by the shrimp, which receive oxygen from the system's algae. Finally, the animals' carbon dioxide and waste, including periodic shedding of their exoskeletons, support the reproduction of the algae and bacteria."

Isn't that cool? I can't wait to share this with my little niece. Thanks so much to the sender! I asked to be surprised, and you nailed it.