Tardigrades (Water Bears)

Tardigrades (Water Bears) are microscopic extremophiles renowned as nature’s ultimate survivors. These eight-legged, water-dwelling creatures withstand conditions lethal to most life: temperatures from -272°C to 150°C, extreme radiation, the vacuum of space, and decades without water by entering a dormant "tun" state. Found everywhere from deep oceans to mountain peaks, their resilience stems from unique proteins that protect their cells. Tardigrades’ "indestructible" biology inspires scientific research in cryopreservation and astrobiology. Tiny yet virtually unkillable, they redefine the limits of life on Earth—and possibly beyond.