Johann Goeze First Described Tardigrades in 1773
He called them little water bears, and Lazzaro Spallanzani gave them the name Tardigrada in 1777.
TopicTardigrade
7 facts
Discover tardigrades, the incredible "water bears" known for surviving extreme conditions from space to volcanoes. Learn about these microscopic marvels!
Tardigrades Have Eight Legs With Claws
Each stubby leg ends in claws that help them grip moss and lichens.
Tardigrades Survive Drying Out by Entering a State Called Cryptobiosis
They shrivel into a dry form called a tun and can revive when water returns.
Tardigrades Are Usually Less Than a Millimeter Long
They can be seen only under a microscope.
Tardigrades Are Also Called Water Bears or Moss Piglets
Their plump bodies and slow gait inspired the nicknames.
Tiny Tardigrades Can Survive The Vacuum of Space And Extreme Radiation
These microscopic "water bears" can enter a state of suspended animation, shedding up to 97% of their water. This allows them to endure temperatures from -272°C to 150°C, intense pressure, and radiation doses 1,000 times higher than humans can withstand.
Tardigrades Are Virtually Indestructible, Surviving Space and Radiation
These microscopic "water bears" can endure extreme conditions, including the vacuum of space, intense radiation, and temperatures from -272°C to 150°C. They do this by entering a state of suspended animation, making them Earth's most resilient creatures.