Water Bear – They bear it all
Tardigrade, also called ‘water bear, it definitely, the toughest and handsomet champ out there. This microbe is literally chockfull of superpower genes. Imagine living without food or water for about 120 years! If that doesn’t wow you, here’s more. Tardigrades can live in temperatures just above absolute zero and also well above the boiling point; they can withstand pressure even six times more than what is found at the ocean depth and survive radiation better than humans. Tardigrades were even sent to space and guess what? They came back fit and fine. If there’s one creature prepared to face the apocalypse with a brave grin, it’s this one!
Himalayan Jumping Spider – In top form
This is no ordinary spider that is content with living in a corner of your home, hidden from the broom. The Himalayan Jumping Spider craves for more a life up in the Himalayan mountain ranges at heights much greater than 6000 metres above sea level! Tackling freezing temperatures and lack of atmospheric pressure is a breeze for this spider, but that’s not all. It can also go without food for a comfortably long period. After all, the only food that comes its way is frozen insects that get blown up the mountain range by strong winds.
Devil Worm – Living deep down
Maybe worms are the ones to compete with microbes. Here’s yet another record for a creature that can live in the ocean depths the devil worm. The high temperature, crippling pressure and virtually no oxygen all suits it just fine. We did not know they existed up until they were discovered in 2011. The devil worms live at depths of about 3.6 kilometres below sea level with only bacteria for company and food!
Pompeii Worm – Too hot for words
When it comes to surviving extra temperatures, microbes usually win all the prizes. But here’s a worm that makes the macroscopic world proud. These worms are most cozy when they are tucked in a hydrothermal vent with temperatures as high as 80°C, with their heads poking out to catch food. And the head portion is nearly 60 degrees cooler than the rest of its body!
Green Parrot – Volcano for home
Imagine the surprise when a team of researchers peer through the top of Volcano Masaya in Nicaragua – a bunch of green parrots roosting inside the crater is really the last thing one would think of! Microbes and worms, step aside! The parrots have entered the race now, though keep in mind that it is not the entire species that can tackle this extreme condition. How these birds put up with the heat and the toxic sulfur gases that the volcano emits is really remarkable!
Sahara Desert Ant the desert Championing
The Sahara Desert Ant might not have anything to do with hydrothermal vents, but it braves the desert heat in style. These ants live in burrows under the sand and make it a point to come out during the hottest time of the day and hunt for dead insect corpses in the scorching heat. They expertly look at the sun’s angle, make quick calculations and figure out the shortest way back to their burrows. Their long legs are definitely a great help to rush back home with the food!
Picture Credit : Google
