Yowie Group has launched a new line of surprise-inside gummies in select Walmart stores, marking the first time the company has launched a gummy product.

These non-GMO, gluten-free gummies are free of artificial coloring and flavors. Made with real fruit juice, they’re available in Orange, Grape, Strawberry, Blueberry and Pineapple flavors. Each box comes with 12 6-gram gummies, which are shaped like Yowie characters Rumble, Crag, Boof, Ditty, Squish and Nap.

Each box also comes with a surprise pet collectible inside.The animals range from the beloved household pets, such as dogs and cats, to the most unique pets, such as reptiles and arachnids. The product also comes with a full-color leaflet with animal facts and a link to learn about how to keep that pet safe, healthy and happy.

Cynthia Thayer, global chief marketing officer, said Yowie conducted focus groups with first-graders and third-graders earlier this year to learn more about their interest in conservation. Their No. 1 area of interest was in domestic pets — how to care for them, and if they didn't have a pet, how to convince their parents to get one.

"They wanted to learn about pets they already have in their household and how they can be better caregivers to those pets," she said.

While Yowie's core surprise-inside chocolate product was targeted toward children ages 6 to 12, Yowie's consumer research revealed parents of children ages 3 to 6 were also interested in Yowie's message of wildlife conservation and appreciation for animals. The soft-chew gummies were designed to be preschooler friendly and build on the overall popularity of the gummy category.

“What better than gummies? They’re a great treat for kids of many different ages," Thayer said.

Parents and their kids can learn more by following Yowie World on social media via YouTube, Facebook or Instagram and by visiting yowieworld.com.