Tardigrades Survive Space, Radiation, and the Vacuum - But Not This

Tardigrades are known as some of the toughest creatures on Earth, surviving extreme radiation, freezing temperatures, and even the vacuum of space. These microscopic survivors can enter a state called cryptobiosis, allowing them to endure conditions that would kill almost anything else. But surprisingly, there are still limits to what they can handle. Certain extreme conditions can break even their incredible defenses. Watch now to discover what can actually defeat these nearly indestructible organisms.

Credit:
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Mikrofoto.de-baertierchen: By Frank Fox, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mikrofoto.de-baertierchen.ogv
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Tardígrado en musgo: By Brandon Antonio Segura Torres & Priscilla Vieto Bonilla, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tard%C3%ADgrado_en_musgo.webm
Tardígrado saliendo: By Brandon Antonio Segura Torres & Priscilla Vieto Bonilla, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tard%C3%ADgrado_saliendo_de_la_criptobiosis.webm
Tardigrado al microscopio: By Mariastella.paulon, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tardigrado_al_microscopio,_100X.webm
Moss tardigrade: By Andrei Savitsky, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%D0%A2%D0%B8%D1%85%D0%BE%D1%85%D0%BE%D0%B4%D0%BA%D0%B0_%D0%B8%D0%B7_%D0%BC%D1%85%D0%B0.webm
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Life in the Ediacaran sea: By Ryan Somma, FunkMonk - https://flic.kr/p/4pHi1t, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=24277381
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Macrobiotus azzunae: By Ben Marnissi, J., Cesari, M., Rebecchi, L., & Bertolani, R. (2021). Integrative description of a new Tunisian tardigrade species, Macrobiotus azzunae sp. nov. (Eutardigrada, Macrobiotidae, hufelandi group). European Journal of Taxonomy, 758(1), 122–146. - https://doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2021.758.1429, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=120169369
Cyaegharctus kitamurai: By Fujimoto S, Jimi N (2020) A new marine tardigrade genus and species (Arthrotardigrada, Styraconyxidae) with unique pockets on the legs. Zoosystematics and Evolution 96(1): 115-122. https://doi.org/10.3897/zse.96.49676, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=94930828
Site hydrothermal profond: By null, null, null, null, OptimusPrimeBot - https://image.ifremer.fr/data/00701/81336, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Site_hydrothermal_profond_dans_la_ZEE_de_Wallis_et_Futuna_(Ifremer_00701-81336).webm
survival of tardigrades: By Bakermans C, Vecchi M, Pearce G. Short-term survival of tardigrades (Ramazzottius cf. varieornatus and Hypsibius exemplaris) in martian regolith simulants (MGS-1 and OUCM-1). International Journal of Astrobiology. 2025;24:e28. doi:10.1017/S1473550425100220
Тихоходка под микроскопом: By Andrei Savitsky, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%D0%A2%D0%B8%D1%85%D0%BE%D1%85%D0%BE%D0%B4%D0%B[…]D0%BE%D1%81%D0%B2%D0%B5%D1%89%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%B5.webm
Тихоходки: By Andrei Savitsky, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%D0%A2%D0%B8%D1%85%D0%BE%D1%85%D0%BE%D0%B4%D0%BA%D0%B8.webm
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Milnesium tardigradum: By Schokraie E, Warnken U, Hotz-Wagenblatt A, Grohme MA, Hengherr S, et al. (2012) - Schokraie E, Warnken U, Hotz-Wagenblatt A, Grohme MA, Hengherr S, et al. (2012) Comparative proteome analysis of Milnesium tardigradum in early embryonic state versus adults in active and anhydrobiotic state. PLoS ONE 7(9): e45682. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0045682, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=22716807
Milnesium tardigradum in early embryonic state: By Schokraie E, Warnken U, Hotz-Wagenblatt A, Grohme MA, Hengherr S, et al. (2012) - Schokraie E, Warnken U, Hotz-Wagenblatt A, Grohme MA, Hengherr S, et al. (2012) Comparative proteome analysis of Milnesium tardigradum in early embryonic state versus adults in active and anhydrobiotic state. PLoS ONE 7(9): e45682. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0045682, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=22716808
Milnesium tardigradum in active state: By Schokraie E, Warnken U, Hotz-Wagenblatt A, Grohme MA, Hengherr S, et al. (2012) - Schokraie E, Warnken U, Hotz-Wagenblatt A, Grohme MA, Hengherr S, et al. (2012) Comparative proteome analysis of Milnesium tardigradum in early embryonic state versus adults in active and anhydrobiotic state. PLoS ONE 7(9): e45682. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0045682, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=22716809
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