Water Bears (Tardigrades)
A collection of informative articles with an overview by Mol smith
Animated image by David Walker
(Jan/Feb 2015)
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Tardigrades are microscopic animals which are also called Water bears due to their slight resemblance to bears. Over 1,150 tardigrade species have been identified. Tardigrades can survive in extreme environments. For example, they can withstand temperatures from just above absolute zero to well above the boiling point of water, pressures about six times greater than those found in the deepest ocean trenches, ionizing radiation at doses hundreds of times higher than the lethal dose for a human, and the vacuum of outer space. They can go without food or water for more than 10
years, drying out to the point where they are 3% or less water, only to rehydrate, forage, and reproduce. They are not considered extremophile because they are not adapted to live in these conditions. Their chances of dying increase the longer they are exposed to the extreme environments, whereas extremophiles are organisms that
can thrive in a physically or geochemically extreme condition that would be detrimental to most life on Earth. [ more
from wikipedia... ]
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Water bears (tardigrades) articles pubished in previous Micscape Magazine issues.
- Hunting for 'bears' in the backyard - where to find 'water bears' in the garden. A fascinating aquatic organism and one of the 'toughest' creatures known. May.99
- The incredible water bear - why they are one of the most fascinating but least known microscopic animals. Includes video clips. Jun.00
- A tardigrade from Scotland Hypsibius (Isohypsibius) annulatus Aug.00
- Further observations of a tardigrade from Scotland Sep.00
- Video gallery - Thrilling water bears May.01
- Video
gallery: Water bear, a living sweet? Nov.01
Offsite Articles
 Image is copyright of FCPS Education. Click on image for more of their images and resources on Tardigrades. |
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Bio-Unc.Edu dedicated resource |
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Images of Water bears |
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Youtube Video
A 3D model of a Water Bear
You can acquire a real 3d model of a waterbear here!
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