The Creature That Refuses to Die
Tiny, tough, and nearly indestructible—this microscopic marvel has survived places no other known animal can.
Image source: National Geographic
Meet the tardigrade, also known as the water bear. Measuring less than a millimeter long, these eight-legged creatures have been found thriving in some of Earth’s harshest environments—from volcanic vents to the frozen peaks of the Himalayas.
What makes them extraordinary is their ability to enter a state called cryptobiosis, where they dry out completely and suspend their metabolism. In this form, they can survive extreme radiation, boiling heat, subzero cold, crushing pressure, and even the vacuum of outer space. When rehydrated, they simply come back to life and carry on as if nothing happened.
Scientists have discovered tardigrade fossils dating back over 500 million years, making them one of Earth’s oldest—and most resilient—life forms. It’s no wonder researchers study them to understand how life might survive beyond our planet.
Learn more about the nearly immortal water bear.Know another creature with unbelievable survival skills? Share it in the forum—someone else might just be as amazed as you are.
