Tardigrade or water bear foot SEM Science Image

Ref: 80201430



Tardigrade or water bear foot. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a water bear foot (Echiniscus sp.). Water bears (or tardigrades) are tiny invertebrates that live in coastal waters and freshwater habitats, as well as semi-aquatic terrestrial habitats like damp moss. They require water to obtain oxygen by gas exchange. In dry conditions, they can enter a cryptobiotic tun (or barrel) state of dessication to survive. Water bears feed on plant and animal cells and are found throughout the world, from the tropics to the cold polar waters. Magnification x10120