Since we had a little science with Prince Rupert’s Drop, I thought I’d share this crazy guy. It is a tardigrade. It is obviously extremely weird looking. It is super special though. These guys can live just about anywhere, the hot sulfide vents in the Marianas trench to the top of Mt. Everest. They can survive near absolute zero to well over boiling, and can be revived after sitting in the dust for years. And in years, I mean they can go for 120 years without food or water. They are very, very small. A huge one is about a millimeter in length. Most are only .3 millimeters long. They are commonly know as waterbears or moss piglets. Personally, I like those names better than tardigrade. Anyway, if you want to read more on these strange little survivalists, click here.
I guess those critters really own the Earth. I thought Ned Overend was the toughest organism on the planet.
I get lots of mileage out of these animals with my biology students. Tardigrades are the bomb. (Your diversity of interests keeps me hooked on your blog, btw.)
LOL. I second the comments of Trey H. I NEVER would have thought to see these guys here. Chapeau !
Plus perfect for a lag bolt!
Looks like that thing takes a 10-cog.
Steve- Did you get hacked?