This dinosaur is the pet you didn't know you needed

There are few products out there that appeal to my sense of whimsy. I consider myself a creative person, so when a fanciful gadget or toy comes into my life, I latch on and can't stop myself from producing high pitched squealing noises. That's how I feel about Dino Pet, a see-through dinosaur that naturally lights up the night when you interact with it. You can actually hold one of nature's phenomenons in your own hands, which is unbelievably exciting to me.

This toy is kind of like a snow globe, but instead of white flakes, the dinosaur is filled with microscopic sea life. Dino Pet gets its charge from a combination of good old fashioned sunlight, water, and nutrients. The dinoflagellates, the scientific term for microscopic sea life, react with the Dino food you're given, which then causes bioluminescence. The living organisms inside the dinosaur respond to movement, so you'll need to give it a good shake to activate the glow. It's science in action!

Admittedly, my enthusiasm bested me. I ended up purchasing the Dino Pet long before writing this article. Though I haven't received it yet, I'm looking forward to seeing the bioluminescence phenomenon up close. The glowing apatosaurus currently retails at $59.95, which isn't a bad price for such a unique gift. It comes with a micro-aquarium, Dino food, and dinoflagellates.

Related Video

{{ brightcove '5078745561001' }}