Tardigrades

Perhaps the epitome of the cute-ugly, creepy-cool divide, tardigrades are marvels of nature. The microscopic creatures, also called water bears, are known as much for their pudgy, almost comical, appearances as their ability to survive almost anything thrown there way, from starvation to radiation. When it comes to tardigrades, Live Science leaves no micro-stone unturned. Here's the latest news on all things tardigrades, from recent discoveries, to dissections of their oddities, to breakdowns of various mysteries.

Latest about tardigrades

A camera shows SpaceX's Starman mannequin and Elon Musk's Tesla Roadster as they fly above a ROUND Earth after launching on the first Falcon Heavy rocket test flight on Feb. 6, 2018.

15 of the weirdest things we have launched into space

By Harry Baker published

From a dummy-driven Tesla, to a giant disco ball, to U.S. presidents' hair, here are some of the weirdest things humans have put into space.

super close up image of a light pink tardigrade next to some sort of light green material

Tardigrade proteins could help stabilize drugs without refrigeration, scientists say

By Nicoletta Lanese published

Proteins found in tardigrades could be used to stabilize drugs that would otherwise need refrigeration.

Water bears - tardigrades

8 Reasons Why We Love Tardigrades

By Mindy Weisberger last updated

Whether you know them as water bears or moss piglets, tardigrades are microscopic bundles of awesomeness.

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30-Year Deep Freeze Just Puts Tardigrade in the Mood

By Mindy Weisberger last updated

Two tardigrades and one egg that spent the past three decades cooling their jets in a researchers' freezer were recently resuscitated.

a mold pig

Move Over, Tardigrades — 'Mold Pigs' Are the New Micro-Beast in Town

By Nicoletta Lanese last updated

A paleobiologist uncovered a never-before-seen microinvertebrate in Dominican amber.

A new species of tardigrade (not shown here) was discovered in a parking lot in Japan.

An Even-Weirder-Than-Usual Tardigrade Just Turned Up in a Parking Lot

By Stephanie Pappas last updated

The world's newest species of water bear has eight legs and eggs covered with tentacles.

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Key to Tardigrades' 'Superpowers' Identified in Their DNA

By Mindy Weisberger last updated

A tardigrade's unique genetic makeup fuels the creature's remarkable resuscitation superpowers.

Tardigrades can enter cryptobiosis to withstand temperature and moisture extremes.

Tardigrades survive being dried out thanks to proteins found in no other animals on Earth

By Stephanie Pappas published

A unique protein found only in tardigrades explains why these tiny animals can dry out completely and survive.

A black and white magnified image showing a tardigrade — it is a chubby eight-legged animal with a circle nose and little claws on its feet.

What are tardigrades and why are they nearly indestructible?

By Mindy Weisberger, Alina Bradford last updated

Reference Tardigrades, often called water bears or moss piglets, are near-microscopic animals that are extremely resilient.

Reference
Wee water bears can survive conditions that would be deadly to most other animals.

Tardigrades hitch risky rides inside snail bellies, then escape in their poop

By Mindy Weisberger published

Scientists recently found that tardigrades can travel by snail to reach new destinations that were otherwise beyond their reach.

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