• Question: what is the name of the inset like animal that can live in space; in fire; in sub zero temperatures- any environment that its been put in?

    Asked by sirisyisacc to Carla, Madgie, Nick, Vicky, Werner on 8 Nov 2013.
    • Photo: Nick Groves-Kirkby

      Nick Groves-Kirkby answered on 8 Nov 2013:

      I think you’re talking about the tardigrade (rather cutely also known as the ‘water bear’). These are amazing little things, about the size of a pinhead.

      These beasts are pretty indestructible. As well as the things you mentioned they can survive huge amounts of radiation and can dry out for many years before coming back to life unharmed. We don’t really know how they do it!

      BBC Nature has some more details and cool pictures of their trip to space here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/12855775

    • Photo: Carla Turner

      Carla Turner answered on 9 Nov 2013:

      I think Nick has this covered, so I will just add that I think they are the tardigrade are the cutest indestructible creatures around!
      If they look a bit scary to you, remember they are only about 1mm long.

    • Photo: Werner Muller

      Werner Muller answered on 9 Nov 2013:

      This is a nice text (most covered already by Nick and Carla), did not find the comment option.

      http://www.scilogs.com/from_the_lab_bench/tardigrade-hardiest-critter-on-earth/

Comments

  • Photo: sirisyisacc

    sirisyisacc commented on :

    Thank you all for getting back to me so quickly, Im really sorry that I haven’t responded sooner myself, thank you Nick for your link and detailed explanation and thank you Carla, for your advise, I had forgotten just how creepy they look. 🙂