Water bears will survive the end of the world as we know it

Only one calamity could kill tardigrades — and chances of that happening are slim

tardigrade

LIFE GOES ON  They may look like microscopic caterpillars, but don’t let their quaint appearance fool you — water bears are no joke. These creatures, shown here in a 3-D rendered illustration, will probably soldier on long after humans are gone.

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Water bears may be Earth’s last animal standing.