Experts believe this unique creature could make it to the end of the world

Over the years, films like "2012" and "Mad Max" have imagined how humans might survive an apocalypse. While scientists have ruled out the possibility of human life thriving in a post-apocalyptic world, they’ve found that one tiny creature, the tardigrade, could survive such extreme conditions.

Researchers from the University of Oxford and Harvard University have dubbed the tardigrade "indestructible."A 2017 study suggests these tiny aquatic animals have the best chance of surviving catastrophic astrophysical events.

The study examined potential world-ending events triggered by space elements, including supernovae, gamma-ray bursts, large asteroid impacts, and passing stars. The findings revealed that humans would not survive such catastrophes, as they would boil Earth's oceans. However, tardigrades were found to be the only creatures likely to withstand these extreme conditions.

These tiny creatures, known as water bears or moss piglets, are invisible to the naked eye. With plump, segmented bodies and flattened heads, they are harmless to humans but incredibly resilient in extreme conditions.

Tardigrades have existed for at least 600 million years and have survived all five mass extinction events. They can enter a hibernation state called cryptobiosis, expelling over 95% of the water from their bodies. They can withstand temperatures from -460°F to 302°F, extreme pressure, and intense radiation.

These plump yet tiny mammals were first discovered in 1773 by German zoologist J.A.E. Goeze who looked through a microscope at a sample of water and was surprised to discover a tiny, eight-legged, slow-moving animal. He decided to call it “Kleiner Wasserbär” which in German stands for “little water bear.” In 1776, Italian biologist Lazzaro Spallanzani came up with a name and called it a “tardigrada,” which in Italian means "slow stepper," as per Smithsonian Magazine.

Meanwhile, the co-author of the study, Dr David Sloan, elaborated on the findings. He said in a statement, "To our surprise, we found that although nearby supernovae or large asteroid impacts would be catastrophic for people, tardigrades could be unaffected." He added, "Therefore it seems that life, once it gets going, is hard to wipe out entirely. Huge numbers of species, or even entire genera may become extinct, but life as a whole will go on."