Tardigrade (also known as Water Bear or Moss Piglet)

Found worldwide in diverse environments, primarily in mosses, lichens, leaf litter, and freshwater/marine sediments.

Suctorial feeders; most species eat plant cells, algae, or small invertebrates like rotifers and other tardigrades.

Famous for cryptobiosis, a state of suspended animation where they can survive extreme temperatures, radiation, and the vacuum of space.

No risks to humans; provide ecological benefits as environmental indicators and play a role in soil and aquatic food webs.