Johann August Ephraim Goeze originally named the tardigrade Kleiner Wasserbär, meaning 'little water-bear' in … See more

The largest adults may reach a body length of 2.0 mm (0.079 in), the smallest below 0.1 mm (0.0039 in). Newly hatched tardigrades may be smaller than 0.05 mm (0.0020 in). For comparison, grass pollen is typically 0.025–0.0… See more

Tardigrades are often found on lichens and mosses‍— for example, by soaking a piece of moss in water. Other environments in which they are found include dunes and coasts generally, soil, leaf litter, and marine or freshwater sediments, … See more