Tardigrades and Cryptobiosis Survival

Tardigrades — also called water bears — have one of the most extreme survival strategies known

in biology. When conditions become life-threatening, tardigrades can enter a state called

cryptobiosis. In this state, metabolism slows to nearly zero. Special proteins

replace water inside its cells, protecting DNA and preventing damage. This allows them

to survive extreme heat, freezing, radiation, and even the vacuum

of space When water returns, the tardigrade rehydrates, metabolism restarts, and it continues

living.