Small Worlds: Tardigrades (Water Bears)

Water bears (also called moss piglets) are some of the most confounding creatures on the planet: They can resist freezing temperatures, boiling heat, radioactive exposure, and can even survive voyages into the vacuum of space. But even though these tiny critters can be found in every forest on earth, you’ll never see one without specifically looking for them. Join Christian Schwartz, park naturalist on a short walk to collect small bits of moss and lichen to bring back to our classroom, where you’ll briefly talk about tardigrade biology before putting samples under the microscope to find and photograph our quarry: Water bears! Sign up by calling 831-335-9348.