A Tardigrade in moss. Also known as Water Bears, Tardigrades are tiny invertebrates that are found in almost every environment on planet, from deep seas to mountain tops. They are able to endure extreme environmental stress by adopting a compact, dehydrated form know as a ‘tun’ state. In experiments, they have even been shown to survive the vacuum of space. This individual was discovered in a clump of damp moss on the roof of a house. Location: Derbyshire, UK. April. False-coloured Scanning Electron Micrograph. Digital composite image. This tardigrade is approximately 0.1 millimetres long. Image x1500 life size when printed 15cm across.