evil tardigrade

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Tardigrades, also known as waterbears or moss piglets, are tiny, eight-legged creatures that thrive in water environments. These segmented micro-animals can withstand extreme conditions that would be lethal to most life on Earth, earning them the title of extremophiles. They can tolerate temperatures ranging from just above absolute zero to far beyond the boiling point of water, crushing pressures six times stronger than those found in the deepest ocean trenches, and even ionizing radiation hundreds of times more deadly than what's fatal for humans. Tardigrades can also survive without food or water for over 10 years by drying out to a mere 3% of their original water content, only to rehydrate, hunt, and reproduce when conditions permit. Usually, fully grown tardigrades measure about 0.5 millimeters in length, making them short and plump with four pairs of legs, each boasting four to eight sharp claws known as "disks". These tiny animals are commonly found in mosses and lichens, where they feed on plant cells, algae, and small invertebrates. When collected, tardigrades can be observed under a very-low-power microscope, making them accessible to students and amateur scientists alike.