Tardigrada
Tardigrada, commonly known as water bears or moss piglets, are tiny, water-dwelling animals that belong to their own phylum. They typically measure between 0.3 to 0.5 millimeters in length and are known for their eight legs and unique appearance. Tardigrades can be found in a variety of environments, including mosses, lichens, and even deep-sea sediments.
One of the most remarkable features of tardigrades is their ability to survive extreme conditions. They can endure extreme temperatures, radiation, and even the vacuum of space by entering a cryptobiotic state, where their metabolic processes nearly shut down. This resilience makes them a subject of interest in scientific research, particularly in the fields of astrobiology and extremophiles.