They may be microscopic, but tardigrades are nature’s ultimate survivors. Also known as water bears, these eight-legged creatures can survive everything from boiling water to the vacuum of space. They’ve even been shot out of guns and lived to tell the tale—well, if they could talk. While they’re nearly indestructible, they do have one Achilles heel: a distaste for heat. But as long as they avoid saunas, these tiny titans remain one of the toughest creatures on Earth.
What are tardigrades and why are they nearly indestructible?
