Tardigrades: The Only Species to Survive a Nuclear War or Cosmic Event?

In the event of a nuclear war or cosmic event like a nova explosion that destroys the planet, researchers have predicted that tardigrades, also known as water bears, will be the last remaining creatures on Earth. Despite life existing on Earth for billions of years, the future may only see one species survive, and it is likely to be the resilient water bear.

Nuclear weapons pose a serious threat to all living things, as the aftermath of a nuclear war would spread radioactive fallout and soot across the globe, causing a nuclear winter. This could lead to the collapse of the ecosystem and starvation for many animals. Invertebrates like cockroaches, scorpions, and microorganisms have shown the ability to survive nuclear war, even after humans are gone. However, tardigrades are incredibly resilient and could potentially survive any astrophysical disaster, making them the only animals capable of escaping extinction in such scenarios.

On a larger scale, astrophysical events such as gamma-ray bursts, large asteroid impacts, and supernova explosions could also threaten life on Earth. However, even tardigrades would not survive the death of the Sun, which will eventually expand and consume Earth in about 5 billion years, leaving behind a hot