●   more than 1,000 species, 0.05–1.2 millimetres long

●   also known as water 'bears' (due to how they  ) and 'moss piglets'

Physical appearance

●   a  round body and four pairs of legs

●   claws or  for gripping

●   absence of respiratory organs

●   body filled with a liquid that carries both  and blood

●   mouth shaped like a  with teeth called stylets

Habitat

●   often found at the bottom of a lake or on plants

●   very resilient and can exist in very low or high 

Cryptobiosis

●   In dry conditions, they roll into a ball called a 'tun'.

●   They stay alive with a much lower metabolism than usual.

●   A type of  ensures their DNA is not damaged.

●   Research is underway to find out how many days they can stay alive in  .

Feeing

●   consume liquids, e.g., those found in moss or 

●   may eat other tardigrades

Conservation status

●   They are not considered to be  .