Live Animals Are Stuck Inside These Plastic Keychains

Published on 6/30/2015 at 5:01 PM

This bizarre souvenir gives the phrase pocket pets new meaning.

Vendors in China have been selling live animal keychains for years: small plastic bubbles containing trapped turtles, fish, salamanders and frogs.

CNN first reported on them in 2011. The little animals are suspended in brightly colored liquid, often along with beads and other decorations, and are barely able to move.

The water supposedly contains oxygen and nutrients that can keep them alive for a few days.

Of course, animal activists have condemned the keychains as unnaturally cruel, as the animals inevitably die once their oxygen wears off.

In the best case scenario, they're freed from their prisons and end up as pets to people who aren't prepared to care for them.

There's also the psychological cruelty of trapping a sentient animal in a living grave.

This video shows a tiny turtle spinning around and trying to escape - but there's no way out.

Unfortunately it's not the first time animals have featured in unusual fashion trends. In South America, living beetles are covered in gems and worn as brooches. And earlier this year, a watch company unveiled a watch filled with live ants; after receiving widespread public backlash, the company said it was an early April Fool's joke.

You can watch a video of the desperate little keychain animals below.