Discover the awe-inspiring stories of resilient wildlife
In the vast fabric of nature, many species have survived the tests of time by changing and adapting to deal with problems that once threatened their very survival. The stories of these tough animals show how amazing strategies and changes can be when faced with constant struggles to stay alive.
On a tiny level, tardigrades, which are sometimes called "water bears," are very strong. These very small organisms, which are only about 1 millimetre long, have shown that they can live in the harshest conditions. From space to the ocean floor, tardigrades have to deal with radiation, high and low temperatures, and lack of water. They can survive harsh environments that would kill most other living things because they can go into a state of suspended slumber called cryptobiosis.
Camels have a character for being strong and able to survive in dry places like deserts. The bodies of these beautiful animals have changed in special ways over time. For example, their kidneys are designed to save water, and they can handle big changes in body temperature. Their humps store fat, which is a very important source of energy when food is scarce. Camels have become very important to people living in desert areas because they can survive in extreme heat and with few resources.
Axolotls are a type of salamander that lives in Mexico. They have an amazing superpower: they can grow back lost body parts. Axolotls, unlike some other frogs, keep the features of a juvenile throughout their whole lives. This lets them grow back limbs, spinal cords, and even parts of their heart and brain. Scientists are interested in this amazing ability to regenerate, which could lead to new ideas that could completely change regenerative medicine for people.
Cockroaches have won their place in the survival hall of fame, even though they are often looked down upon. These bugs have been around for millions of years and have changed over time to be able to live in a wide range of conditions. Their amazing toughness comes from having tough exoskeletons, good ways to reproduce, and an amazing ability to eat a lot of different kinds of biological matter. Cockroaches have survived major extinctions and are now very good at living with people in cities.
The Arctic tern goes on one of the most amazing trips in all of the animal kingdom: it migrates every year from the Arctic to the Antarctic and back again. Along its thousands-mile journey, this small bird has to deal with bad weather, seas, and the constant threat of being eaten. Its ability to make it through such a hard journey, which can be more than 40,000 kilometres long, shows how tough and flexible this bird is.
When it comes to plants, the lotus stands out as a sign of strength and cleanliness. The lotus grows in dark, muddy water and comes up clean, representing beauty rising above hardship. This aquatic plant has developed special traits, like leaves that don't absorb water and the ability to clean itself, to keep it clean in spite of the challenges it faces in its surroundings.
As part of the bigger story of survival, these tough animals and their stories show the many ways that life deals with problems. Each species has its own story of endurance, from tiny organisms that can survive in space to huge animals that can survive in hard deserts.
