From space resilience to lifelong youth, nature offers astonishing powers observed in the animal kingdom. Scientists have studied these traits for decades, exploring what they might mean for humans. Here are ten remarkable animals whose abilities spark curiosity about longevity, adaptation, and healing. (citation: Science Library, Alvaro Migotto Cebimar USP, Derek R Tearne, and others)
1. tardigrade
water bear. This tiny creature endures space exposure, intense radiation, and extreme temperatures from -200ºC to 148.9ºC. It is possible that remnants were carried to the Moon aboard a 2019 Israeli space probe that crashed there. Less than a millimeter in length, tardigrades can reawaken many years after dehydration. In its dried state, it tightens its body, retracts its limbs, and shifts into a near-death suspended animation, slowing metabolism to a fraction of a percent.
2. Shaved mouse
The shaved mouse shows near-complete resistance to pain and a remarkable tolerance for cancer. Its life span can reach about 30 years, roughly ten times longer than typical rodents of similar size, and it does not require drinking water. Separate colonies even develop distinct dialects, and breeding longevity mirrors social learning. Within their colonies, hierarchical roles guide work and reproduction, and there is a strong sense of communal cooperation, though interactions with outsiders can be hostile. (citation: Valencia Bioparc)
3. Immortal jellyfish
Biologists observe that this jellyfish can theoretically reverse aging and reset to a youthful polyp stage if conditions threaten its survival. When damaged or threatened, it can begin the regeneration process, rebuilding itself to an earlier developmental state within days. Cells are reprogrammed to a youthful state, and the organism can re-enter the cycle from polyp to adult repeatedly. Genetic identity remains constant across these transitions, offering a striking example of cellular plasticity. (citation: Alvaro Migotto Cebimar USP)
4. African lungfish
A true living fossil, the African lungfish bridges fish and amphibians. It tolerates extremely low oxygen, has a simplified lung system, and closes itself in a mucus-coated chamber when water dries up. Then it seals the opening with mud, leaving only tiny ventilation holes. In this torpid state it can survive for months, lowering metabolism to a bare minimum. The species embodies resilience in harsh habitats. (citation: Loury Cedric)
5. Weta of the Mountains
This mountain insect freezes for extended periods and later revives. It endures multiple freeze-thaw cycles with minimal aftermath. To enter cryptobiosis, it preserves about 80% of body water and halts metabolic activity. In its cryogenic phase it resembles a corpse, legs and claws extended, yet it can rebound when conditions improve. The protein at work prevents blood from crystallizing, supporting survival through severe temperature swings. (citation: Derek R Tearne)
6. Axolotl
The axolotl, an aquatic salamander, has become a symbol of regenerative science. It can regrow its tail, limbs, portions of the spine and brain, heart, and other tissues. Researchers study its developmental biology to uncover clues for human healing. Unlike many salamanders, the axolotl retains larval features into adulthood, keeping external gills and a dorsal fin while still breathing with lungs and through its skin. (citation: Agencies)
7. Clownfish
Clownfish establish a social hierarchy where all start as males, with one becoming the dominant female. If the alpha female dies, a male undergoes neurological changes that transform his testes into ovaries. This system supports rapid reorganization of breeding pairs and mutual shelter within sea anemones. Family groups remain tightly knit, guided by size and rank rather than age alone. (citation: EFE)
8. Giant Tortoise
Tortoises resist aging in the sense that disease, predation, and human threats shape their typical lifespans. The Seychelles giant tortoise named Jonathan is estimated to be around 190 years old. Longevity stems from a slow metabolism, tranquil temperament, the ability to endure long fasting, a protective shell, and organ systems that show minimal age-related change over time. (citation: Kevstan)
9. Planarian worm
Planaria can regenerate lost organs after injury or mating pairs split into two, each forming a new individual. They lack a traditional respiratory or circulatory system, have no eyes but two light-sensitive spots, and are hermaphroditic. Their mouth sits mid-stomach, enabling both sexual and asexual reproduction. In asexual fission, the tail can detach and later regrow, producing a fresh planarian. (citation: Perverted)
10. Kangaroo rat
Nocturnal and famously water-efficient, the kangaroo rat can survive without drinking water. It produces moisture internally by adjusting air flow in the nose, allowing water in cooler nasal regions to condense into droplets for reuse. Seals on the cheeks store seeds the animal eats when food is scarce. Body adaptations enable this remarkable water economy in arid environments. (citation: EFE)
Other unique species
Countless animals inspire wonder beyond this list. For example, the seahorse features male pregnancy, carrying thousands of offspring in the brood pouch for days and giving birth. Some desert beetles withstand extreme heat, while certain frogs protect their cells with natural antifreeze compounds. About 500 fish species can change sex, and some whales live beyond a century. Self-awareness has been observed in a handful of species, highlighting cognitive complexity across the animal kingdom. (citation: various researchers)
In sum, nature offers a spectrum of extraordinary adaptations. Each example invites curiosity about biology, longevity, and the ways life on Earth navigates extreme conditions. (citation: collection of sources)