Tardigrades, which are eight-legged micro-animals, are commonly referred to as water bears or moss piglets and are found all over the world in varying extreme habitats.

Cryptobiosis is a physiological state in which an organism's metabolic activity decreases to a nearly undetectable level as a mechanism to avoid lethal environmental circumstances such as anaerobic conditions, exposure to toxins, desiccation, or freezing.

[6][7] They are most commonly found in terrestrial habitats due to their anhydrobiosis and cryobiosis abilities, both methods of cryptobiosis.

Studies have linked anhydrobiosis with Acutuncus antarcticus ability to withstand freezing temperatures.

[8] Cryptobiosis is a reversible metabolic state induced by detrimental environmental factors to help keep the creature alive, which scientists believe involves the synthesis of bioprotectants like selective carbohydrates and proteins and antioxidant enzymes and other free radical scavengers.

[9] This extreme survival ability is a common trait among micrometazoons like nematodes, tardigrades, and rotifers.

Experimentation with pan-Antarctic Acutuncus antarcticus and exposure to UV radiation, extreme temperatures, and desiccation show how the species responds to these factors.