Scientists reveal the

The question of which species would survive a global catastrophe has fascinated scientists and internet theorists alike. A 2017 study by researchers at the University of Oxford and Harvard University set out to find the creature most likely to endure extreme astrophysical events—like supernovae, gamma-ray bursts, asteroid impacts, or passing stars. Their conclusion? Humans wouldn’t stand a chance if such events boiled Earth’s oceans, but a tiny, unlikely survivor might: the tardigrade.

Also called “water bears” or “moss piglets,” tardigrades are tiny, aquatic animals with eight legs and plump bodies. Though they may look cute, they’re incredibly resilient. The study revealed that these creatures could withstand conditions that would wipe out most life on Earth. Tardigrades can enter a survival state called cryptobiosis, where they expel over 95% of their body water and effectively shut down. In this state, they can survive extreme heat, freezing cold, intense radiation, and crushing pressure. As study co-author Dr. David Sloan put it, while mass extinctions may occur, life itself—especially in the form of tardigrades—will likely persist.