Water Bear

Water Bear

IMAGE NUMBER: BS8236 LICENSE: RIGHTS MANAGED

Water bear (Macrobiotus sapiens) in moss. Color enhanced scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a water bear in its active state. Water bears (or tardigrades) are tiny invertebrates that live in aquatic and semi-aquatic habitats such as lichen and damp moss. They require water to obtain oxygen by gas exchange. In dry conditions, they can enter a cryptobiotic state of desiccation, known as a tun, to survive. In this state, water bears can survive for up to a decade. This species was found in moss samples from Croatia. It feeds on plant and animal cells. Water bears are found throughout the world, including regions of extreme temperature, such as hot springs, and extreme pressure, such as deep underwater. They can also survive high levels of radiation and the vacuum of space. Magnification: x250 when printed 10cm wide.

Credit: Eye of Science / Science Source

Interested in licensing this image?

To purchase a license for this image or to find out more, call 1‑800‑833‑9033 or email sales@sciencesource.com.

Prices for commercial licensing will vary depending on the type of use and exposure. Our Sales Team has pricing for every type of use and will gladly work with you and answer all of your questions.

Please register for full access to our stock image
and video collections on sciencesource.com.

Already registered with us? Sign-in now!

Find additional images matching these keywords:
water bear, macrobiotus sapiens, macrobiotus, moss, color enhanced, sem, scanning electron micrograph, tardigrades, invertebrate, aquatic, semi-aquatic, cryptobiotic, tun, animal, microfauna, biology, zoology, tardigrade

This image is protected under U.S. copyright law.
For reproduction permission, please contact our sales representatives.