tardigrade

Everyday

A tardigrade is a tiny, eight-legged animal, usually less than 1 millimetre long, that lives in water, moss and soil and can survive extreme conditions. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons tardigrades amaze pupils: you need a microscope to see them; they look like chubby little bears with claws. When their home dries out they curl into a dry «tun» and can survive freezing, boiling, crushing pressure, radiation and even outer space for a while, then come back to life when wet. They live almost everywhere, from mountaintops to the deep sea. The name means «slow walker». Phrases: «water bear», «moss piglet».

Examples

• A tardigrade is smaller than a full stop. tree →
• Tardigrades are also called water bears. tree →
• We looked for tardigrades in wet moss with a microscope. tree →
• Tardigrades survived a trip into outer space. tree →
• A dried-out tardigrade can come back to life in water. tree →
• Tardigrades have eight stubby legs with claws. tree →

Note

Plural «tardigrades». Say TAR-di-grade. Trap: they are tough, but not indestructible; they can be killed, and they are not really bears or pigs.