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Growing up in the ’70s and ’80s meant embracing creativity and curiosity—even when it came to pets. From bizarre creatures advertised in comic books to exotic animals, we barely knew how to care for, the pets of this era reflected a time when almost anything could be marketed as a companion. Some were fascinating, others questionable, but all were steeped in nostalgia. Let’s revisit the pets we once adored that might raise an eyebrow today.
1. Sea Monkeys
Flickr: Jason Salyers
Sea Monkeys were the ultimate childhood letdown. Advertised with illustrations of underwater kingdoms filled with crown-wearing, smiling creatures, kids eagerly bought the kits, expecting a magical experience. Instead, they got brine shrimp—tiny, almost invisible critters swimming aimlessly in water. While setting them up was a novelty, the reality often left kids feeling duped. Still, Sea Monkeys were a defining part of growing up in the ’70s and ’80s.
2. Quail Egg Hatching Kits
Quail egg kits brought the miracle of life right to your home. Kids carefully incubated the eggs and eagerly awaited the arrival of chirping, fluffy baby quail. The excitement was unforgettable, but many families were unprepared for the challenge of raising live birds. For some, the adventure ended with rehoming the quail—or an awkward conversation about what came next unless you were at my home, where the eggs never even hatched.
3. Hamsters and Gerbils (in Habitrails!)
No childhood bedroom in the ’70s or ’80s was complete without a hamster or gerbil zooming around in a brightly colored Habitrail. These modular systems turned cages into elaborate mazes of tubes, wheels, and hideouts. Kids loved designing the perfect hamster mansion, but the squeaky wheels at night and frequent escapes reminded us that these tiny escape artists could be a handful.
4. Hermit Crabs
Flickr: Jack Siah
Hermit crabs were low-maintenance pets often picked up at mall kiosks or beachside shops. Their colorful painted shells made them a fun novelty, but their nocturnal habits and tendency to hide left many kids underwhelmed. Hermit crabs became more of a quirky decoration than an interactive pet.
5. Tiny Turtles and Terrapins
Small turtles were a staple of fairs and pet shops, often sold in little plastic tanks with islands and plastic palm trees. While adorable, they were far from easy to care for, and many kids didn’t realize the health risks they posed. By the late ’80s, salmonella concerns led to stricter regulations, making these turtles a nostalgic relic of the past.
6. Ant Farms
Ant farms were equal parts science project and entertainment. These clear enclosures let kids watch ants tunnel and build colonies, providing a glimpse into their fascinating teamwork. However, the novelty often wore off when ants escaped, or the farm was accidentally knocked over, leading to chaos in the house.
7. Frogs and Tadpoles
Catching tadpoles in a local pond and raising them into frogs was a childhood rite of passage. Watching their transformation from wiggling tadpoles to hopping frogs felt like magic. Unfortunately, many kids were unprepared for the long-term care frogs required, and many ended up being released back into the wild—or left in less-than-ideal habitats.
8. Goldfish in Plastic Bags
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Winning a goldfish at a carnival was practically a childhood tradition. These poor fish, handed out in flimsy plastic bags, often lived short lives in tiny bowls. While goldfish are still popular pets today, the carnival practice of giving them away as prizes has mostly faded due to ethical concerns.
9. Mail-Order Monkeys
One of the strangest trends of the ’70s and earlier was the ability to buy live animals, including monkeys, from the back of magazines or comic books. Kids could order a squirrel monkey for as little as $15–$20 (plus shipping), which would arrive in a small crate. The ads promised playful, adorable companions, but the reality was far more chaotic. Monkeys are brilliant and social animals that require constant attention and specialized care—something most families were unprepared for. Many of these monkeys ended up in zoos or sanctuaries. This shocking trend is now unthinkable due to stricter animal welfare laws, but it remains a bizarre reminder of how different attitudes toward exotic pets were in the past.
10. Chameleons and Anoles
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Color-changing reptiles like chameleons and anoles fascinated kids with their exotic looks. Sold at fairs and pet shops, they were initially thrilling but required care most kids couldn’t manage. Proper humidity, live insects, and heat lamps were often missing, leading to short-lived ownership.
11. Parakeets
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Parakeets brought color and cheerful chirping into homes across America. Kids loved their ability to mimic whistles and sounds, but maintaining clean cages and providing enough interaction often fell to parents. Though still popular today, parakeets were much more common in the ’70s and ’80s.
12. Guinea Pigs
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Guinea pigs were larger, squeakier alternatives to hamsters and gerbils. Their expressive sounds and social personalities made them fun companions, but their need for larger cages and constant care meant they were more of a commitment than many families expected. Still, they remain a nostalgic favorite.
The pets of the ’70s and ’80s reflected a time of curiosity, experimentation, and sometimes questionable decisions. From the overpromised magic of Sea Monkeys to the chaos of owning a mail-order monkey, these pets were part of an era where almost anything could be marketed to kids. While many of these trends have disappeared, they remain cherished (and often hilarious) memories of a simpler time, when childhood meant embracing the unexpected—critters and all.
