Who would have thought it? A cuddly toy in the shape of a virus! These cuddly characters are incredibly endearing and educational too. Each one comes with a detailed scientific description and photograph of what he looks like under the microscope, along with medical tips on how to avoid picking up these bugs in daily life. Children seem to be totally fascinated by them, and it really helps when explaining all about why they are feeling poorly. The perfect gift to accompany a Get Well card. Also a brilliant present for medical students, doctors and nurses etc. You will soon understand why they are becoming amazingly popular! Start collecting now. FACTS: Much of the muck you see in slimy green water is composed of blue-green algae! (Blue-green algae is the common name for cyanobacteria.) Cyanobacteria are found worldwide and in many differnet habitats. They grow in fish tanks and swimming pools, as well as innumerable marine and freshwater environments. They are also found in soil, houseplants and as symbiotes in animals and plant-life. They can be soiltary or colonial and can form large mats and filaments visible to the human eye. Anabaena is a type of blue0green algae that likes to foem filamentous colonies of green slime. They smell bad, taste worse and can cause nausea if ingested. (Prolonged exposure can also cause skin irritation) Blue-green algae like light and warm stagnant water, so improving water circulation helps to control their numbers. Live plants can also reduce algae populations by providing shade and competition for nutrients. Certain animals, such as tadpoles and algae eating fish, can disrupt algal communities. And where ecological sensitivity is not required (e.g, in swimming pools) chlorine and algicides provide defenitive and catagorical results.