THE COLDEST LIVING THING

Tardigrades are some of the strangest and toughest living creatures in existence.

Also known as water bears or moss pigs, tardigrades are small invertebrates that measure around 0.05 to 1.2 millimetres in length. One of the things that makes them unique is their ability to survive in the most extreme conditions – they can be found in almost every habitat on Earth. Researchers have discovered that these hardy creatures can survive at temperatures as low as -200 degrees Celsius. Tardigrades do this by entering into a death-like state known as cryptobiosis. While in this state, they expel more than 95 per cent of the water in their bodies. Their bodies are then protected by proteins that form a glass-like cocoon around each of their cells. Tardigrades can also revive themselves, even after decades of cryptobiosis slumber.