Water Bears Are Not Indestructible

A dried-out water bear has survived an hour above 80 °C, crushing pressure and open space. 🌌

But a wet, active one dies at about 37 °C, so its real superpower is not toughness but patience.

3D models are simplified illustrations and may not be exact. "Iridescent Waves" by Tycho Magnetic Anomaly (CC BY 4.0); the water bear is our own build. Photo: Halberg et al. 2013, PLoS ONE (CC BY 4.0). Sources: Neves et al. 2020, Scientific Reports; Seki & Toyoshima 1998, Nature; Jönsson et al. 2008, Current Biology. #tardigrade #waterbear #biology #science #shorts