Friday Riddle / Teaser - ANSWER

nudgie

RIDDLE: Hello there!

I am a living animal.

You may not see me with your eyes,

But though I'm very, very small,

I'm a tough nut for my size.

I do not fear the arid desert,

Nor the frigid cold and snow.

I can rest comfortably in the mountains high

Or in the ocean far below.

You may find me in the cold of space

Or by a pristine, little lake.

I may have gone thirsty for 100 years,

So give me a drink, for goodness sake!

If you find me, please say "hello,"

And a new friend you can make,

For you'll find I'm not as nasty

As my more ferocious namesake.

It's been a pleasure meeting you

And telling you about me.

Now that you have all the clues,

Please tell me, what can I be?




ANSWER: The only member of the Tardigrada phylum, the Tardigrade, or water bear, only reaches a maximum size of 1.5 millimeters.
These tiny wonders can survive temperatures as high as 303 degrees Fahrenheit and as low as 328 degrees below zero Fahrenheit.
They can be found in the Himalayas as high as 6000 meters and in the ocean as low as 4000 meters deep.
They can survive extreme low pressure such as the vacuum of space or the high pressure found deep below the ocean.
They can go without water for over 100 years and can be reawakened with just a little water.
They can be found all over the world from the arctic to the equator.
Obviously, water "bears" are not as vicious as other bears.

StacyGleaso

I was gonna guess that! lol

(no, I really wasn't!)

Stacy

PGLGreg

The hint that I gave about squeezing moss in spring water was from the Wikipedia article on Tardigrades. I thought I'd better say this, so you all wouldn't think I was just crazy.
-Greg