• Question: if every animal in the world was put into space which would last the longest

    Asked by Eddy the Jedi to Ajay, Kate, Kuntal, Pip, Reka on 14 Nov 2016.
    • Photo: Reka Nagy

      Reka Nagy answered on 14 Nov 2016:

      The water bear, also known as a tardigrade! This is a tiny animal that can only be seen under a microscope. It has not got a lot in common with bears, but appears to have bear-like claws.
      Look at this impressive set of survival skills they have:

      – they can survive in absolutely crazy conditions, such as temperatures ranging from -272 degrees C (-273 degrees C is the absolute coldest temperature possible!) to 150 degrees C.
      – they can survive pressures up to six times higher than the pressure found in the deepest parts of the ocean.
      – they can survive ionizing radiation that is 1000 times stronger than what would be needed to would wreak havoc on human DNA.
      – they can survive without food or water for 30 years by nearly completely drying out – but add water again and they continue on living.
      – finally, they can survive the vacuum of space!!

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