Which animal can live without food forever?

nationalgeographic.com - Tardigrade - National Geographic

How do you make a go bag?

Include the following items in each Go Bag: Food – 3-day supply. Warmth/Shelter – Emergency blanket, 3 12-hour body warmers, poncho. Medical...

Last updated Mar 24, 2020

Who is the purple Sonic?

Big is a large, purple anthropomorphic cat, who is depicted as—while unintelligent—sweet, easygoing, and physically strong. In Sonic Adventure,...

Last updated Sep 29, 2018

Promotion

Common Name : Tardigrades Scientific Name : Tardigrada Diet : Omnivore Size : 0.5 millimeter

What is a tardigrade?

Tardigrades are microscopic eight-legged animals that have been to outer space and would likely survive the apocalypse. Bonus: They look like adorable miniature bears. Around 1,300 species of tardigrades are found worldwide. Considered aquatic because they require a thin layer of water around their bodies to prevent dehydration, they’ve also been observed in all kinds of environments, from the deep sea to sand dunes. Freshwater mosses and lichens are their preferred habitat, hence their nickname, moss piglet. Despite looking squishy, tardigrades are covered in a tough cuticle, similar to the exoskeletons of grasshoppers, praying mantises, and other insects to which they are related. Like those insects, tardigrades have to shed their cuticles in order to grow. They have four to six claws on each foot, which helps them cling to plant matter, and a specialized mouthpart called a bucco pharyngeal apparatus, which allows them to suck nutrients from plants and microorganisms.

Tiny and tough

Tardigrades belong to an elite category of animals known as extremophiles, or critters that can survive environments that most others can't. For instance, tardigrades can go up to 30 years without food or water. They can also live at temperatures as cold as absolute zero or above boiling, at pressures six times that of the ocean’s deepest trenches, and in the vacuum of space. Their resiliency is in part due to a unique protein in their bodies called Dsup—short for "damage suppressor"—that protects their DNA from being harmed by things like ionizing radiation, which is present in soil, water, and vegetation. Another amazing survival trick is cryptobiosis, a state of inactivity triggered by a dry environment. The micro-animals squeeze all the water out of their bodies, retract their heads and limbs, roll up into a little ball, and become dormant. When conditions improve, they unfurl themselves and go about their business.

Mating and reproduction

Naturally, tardigrades have unusual mating habits, too. Depending on the species, the animals may reproduce asexually or sexually. In some species, males deposit sperm inside the cuticle of a molting, egg-carrying female during an hour-long mating process. Some females shed their cuticle and then lay their eggs inside to be fertilized later by males. Eggs take around 40 days to hatch, or as long as 90 days if they’ve been in a desiccated state.

0:43

Why should you not store ammo with your guns?

The National Rifle Association (NRA) recommends that guns be stored unloaded until you need to use them. Keep your ammunition in a locked safe that...

Last updated Apr 16, 2021

Is Wii still made?

The Wii was formally discontinued in October 2013, though Nintendo continued to produce and market the Wii Mini through 2017, and offered a subset...

Last updated Dec 10, 2022

Promotion

Which animal can live 3 years without eating?

Crocodiles 08/11Crocodiles You will be surprised to know that crocodiles, as one of the oldest reptiles of the planet can go for a few months without food, and in extreme cases, they can go up to three years without food. They save energy by moving slow and at times by being motionless too.

recipes.timesofindia.com - 10 animals that can live without food and water for months - Times Food

While we humans cannot live without 4-6 meals a day, there are animals who can sustain without food and water for months and even years. Food, as a major source of energy for the correct functioning of the body, not only increases the metabolism but also works as fuel for bones, muscles, and nerves. Food also balances the reaction level of the body. If we don’t eat on time it results in anger, dehydration, and irritation. In short, it’s in our nature to eat daily and its part of our very existence. But, there are creatures that are naturally different too. Keeping all these natural elements and features aside, these 10 unique animals can live without food and water for months and even years. Scroll through to know who they are and what makes them so special.

Do you have to take PrEP forever?

It isn't a pill you have to take forever. You get to decide when to start and stop PrEP. Just remember that if you don't take it regularly, you...

Last updated Dec 27, 2021

What country wastes the most food per person?

China Although China and India produce the most household food waste every year, the average volume produced per capita in these countries is less...

Last updated Mar 10, 2018

Promotion

What is the fastest bullet?

The . 220 Swift remains the fastest commercial cartridge in the world, with a published velocity of 1,422 m/s (4,665 ft/s) using a 1.9 grams (29...

Last updated Mar 18, 2019

Promotion

Who was last 5 star general?

Omar N. Bradley In September 1950, Omar N. Bradley became the fifth Army general to be promoted to five-star rank. The five-star rank still exists,...

Last updated Jun 1, 2018