It is quite likely that you have never heard of water bears, also known as moss piglets or, more properly, as tardigrades. These tiny, eight-legged creatures, which rarely exceed one millimetre in length, are amongst the hardiest animals on Earth. They can survive a decade without water, being cooled to -273Β°C, heated to 150Β°C, crushed at 6,000 atmospheres pressure or exposed to 1,000 times more radiation than would kill a human. I have absolutely no idea why scientists have taken it upon themselves to try so hard to kill these innocuous little creatures.
– Dave Goulson
Tardigrades, aka water bears, are tiny, chubby, eight-legged critters built like tanks. Despite being small enough to fit on the tip of a pin, these resilient critters are practically indestructible. They can endure extreme heat, freezing cold, crushing pressure, radiation, dehydration, and even the vacuum of outer space. When the going gets tough, tardigrades just curl up into a tiny ball called a tun and wait for better days. #funfact
Tardigrades: The Most Resilient Micro Animals On Earth
How To Find A Waterbear?
The Insane Biology Of The Tardigrade
Bonus: The Special Ed Science Fair
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