All moral rights asserted. Recolouring or alteration of the image is prohibited without permission. Tardigrade (Ramazottius sp.) egg, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). Tardigrades are found all over the world, including the Arctic, high mountains, the tropics and in the deep sea. They can fall into a state of dry rigidity in which no vital functions can be detected (cryptobiosis). They can live in this state for years, only to come back to life in minutes when wetted. In the state of cryptobiosis, the animals are resistant to extreme environmental influences. They withstand temperatures over 100 degrees Celsius, absolute vacuum and UV and X-ray radiation. Magnification: x2000 when printed at 15cm wide.