Fauna
Invertebrate · GBIF taxon 9800250

Hypsibius exemplaris

Hypsibius exemplaris

Also known as Water Bear, Moss Piglet

Hypsibius exemplaris is a microscopic water bear renowned for its ability to survive extreme environmental stress by entering a dormant state known as cryptobiosis. These eight-legged invertebrates navigate film-thin layers of water in mosses and freshwater sediments, using piercing mouth stylets to feed on cellular fluid. Because they reproduce rapidly and thrive in lab cultures, they serve as essential model organisms for genetic, evolutionary, and space biology research.

MicroscopicExtremophileFreshwater
Hypsibius exemplaris reference
Licensed referenceBob Goldstein and Vicky Madden, UNC Chapel Hill / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Microalgae
  • Bacteria
  • Rotifers
Predators
  • Nematodes
  • Carnivorous tardigrades
  • Aquatic mites
ThreatsHabitat destruction and severe environmental pollution
HabitatsFreshwater ponds, damp mosses, lichens, and leaf litter
Life span3 to 4 months active (decades dormant)
Classification
  1. OrderParachela
  2. FamilyHypsibiidae
  3. GenusHypsibius
  4. SpeciesHypsibius exemplaris
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Harmless microscopic organism that poses no risk to humans or pets.
Responsible observation
  • Sample Collection: Soak damp moss in spring water for a few hours to release individuals from the film.
  • Microscopic Viewing: Observe under a compound light microscope at 100x to 400x magnification.
Related species
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