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Tardigrades (water bears) are microscopic animals (0.1–1.5 mm) that are arguably the most resilient multicellular organisms on Earth. They can survive boiling water (150°C), near absolute zero (-272°C), vacuum of space, radiation 1,000x lethal to humans, pressures 6x deeper than the deepest ocean trench, and desiccation (complete drying) for up to 150 years.
In extreme conditions, tardigrades enter cryptobiosis — expelling most water and forming a 'tun' state, where all metabolism virtually stops. They have been revived from museum specimens dried for over 100 years. Tardigrades have even survived being sent to space unprotected — the first animals confirmed to survive the vacuum of space.
# Top 10 Tardigrade facts
- 1Tardigrades survived unprotected in the vacuum of space aboard a 2007 ESA mission
- 2They can survive being boiled (150°C) and frozen near absolute zero (-272°C)
- 3In a dried state, tardigrades can survive for over 150 years and revive when rehydrated
Fascinating Facts
- ◆Tardigrades survived unprotected in the vacuum of space aboard a 2007 ESA mission
- ◆They can survive being boiled (150°C) and frozen near absolute zero (-272°C)
- ◆In a dried state, tardigrades can survive for over 150 years and revive when rehydrated
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