Despite how much our species
has evolved, the humankind is still very fragile when compared to some of the
other creatures we share our planet with. If a cataclysmic event were to occur,
the humans would not be the last species to call Earth home. Humans can’t survive
mass extinctions.
Taking a number of potential
“doomsday” scenarios into consideration, a group of scientists has identified
what they believe will be the last form of life on our planet until the
eventual demise of the sun.
One microscopic animal has
proved itself to be so incredibly resilient that researchers found it would
ultimately be Earth’s sole survivor long after the human species have been
eradicated.
From asteroid impacts to
exploding stars, there are a number of cataclysmic events that would put an end
to our species. However, none would be devastating enough to wipe out all life
entirely.
Researchers determined that, until the sun dies,
tardigrades would outlast all other species. These water-dwelling, eight-legged
micro-animals have a resilience that is unparalleled to all other known life
forms.
“To our surprise, we found that although nearby
supernovae or large asteroid impacts would be catastrophic for people,
tardigrades could be unaffected,” Dr. David Sloan of Oxford University stated.
What makes tardigrades the most indestructible species?
These micro-animals are able to survive for up to 30 years without food or
water and can endure extreme heat of up to 150 degrees Celsius (302℉) as
well as the freezing temperatures of space.
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