Subscribe to Epic Wildlife Let's Connect
--
--
--
--
Creatures That Could Survive the Apocalypse
From jellyfish, cockroaches, and scorpions … to worms, wasps, and Tardigrades ... Here are 15 creatures that could survive the Apocalypse
#15 Amoebas
Many scientists regard this unicellular organism as the world’s simplest form of life. They’re found in huge numbers just about everywhere, so it would take a lot to wipe them out. That would be especially difficult since they can enter a cyst-like state during which they remain dormant. Shielded by a protective layer, Amoebas can remain in that suspended state almost indefinitely. Scientists say they’re resistant to radiation, and they can quickly reproduce on their own. That quality alone could allow them to carry on through any cataclysmic chaos.
#14 Red Flat Bark Beetles
Among other northern regions, these insects inhabit the Brooks Mountain Range in Alaska. They’ve gained a reputation for surviving harsh winter weather with a unique behavior. When that season arrives, the insects will release almost half of their body water. The remaining fluid is used to produce antifreeze proteins as it enters a type of suspended animation. Researchers say the insects can resist temperatures plummeting to minus-238 degrees Fahrenheit (minus-150 C). If a global catastrophe triggers another major Ice Age, these beetles might sleep right through it!
#13 Pompeii Worm
Named for the ancient Roman city, this is a species of polychaete (pahl-lih-keet) worm that inhabits deep waters of the Pacific Ocean. Their alien appearance matches their alien habitat since they’re found only around hydrothermal vents on the ocean floor. For short periods they can thrive in water temperatures as high as 221 degrees F (105 C). Researchers regard this as the second-most heat tolerant complex animal in the world. Only the Tardigrade can withstand more heat.
#12 Fruit Flies
Since most of these insects breed within rotting fruit, they’re regarded more as nuisances than pests. With a lifespan of only 30 days they don’t have much time to bug anyone too badly. But they can survive hundreds of times more radiation than humans, and require very little to sustain them. Would a lifespan of 30 days be a blessing or a curse in a post-apocalyptic world?
#11 Scorpions
These arachnids are probably best known for their narrow, segmented tail. Out of more than 1,700 known species, only about 25 species carry a fatal sting. But all scorpions are known to glow with a greenish-blue fluorescence when exposed to ultraviolet radiation. That suggests they might be able to withstand nuclear radiation, too. Scientists don’t know why the arachnids glow under UV light. Nor do they understand why scorpions can survive being frozen, and then be successfully thawed out. So it’s possible that the arachnids could tolerate a nuclear winter.
Since they can adapt to habitats ranging from deserts to forests, maybe they could adapt to irradiated wastelands, too. Let us know what you think in the comments!
#10 E.Coli (Ee-Koh-lie)
Since bacteria is neither a plant nor an animal, it’s not really a creature as such. But this one has a very close association with humans, so we put it on the list. E.Coli is a familiar name, that is infamous for producing all manner of abdominal discomfort. It’s one of the most widely researched bacteria, and is usually found in the lower intestine. One of E.coli’s lesser-known qualities is its resistance to radiation. Most sources claim the micro-organism can withstand at least six times the amount of radiation that is lethal for a human. In the wake of global catastrophe, the bacteria would probably survive long after its host had been obliterated.
#9 Mummichog (mum-ih-chog)
Also known as mud minnows and Killifish, these small animals can adapt to the freshwater or saltwater habitats of the North American Atlantic coast. They’ve become valuable research subjects for toxicologists because of their tolerance for high levels of radiation and toxins. Some studies have found Mummichogs them living in waterways that were severely polluted and oxygen-deprived. Their hardy constitutions are a reason why they were the first fish sent into space. During that 1973 Skylab mission scientists noted that the fish quickly adapted to a zero-gravity environment. It looks like their adaptability is due to completely controlling their genome. Researchers say that Mummichogs can switch certain genes on and off to suit their environment. Who’s to say they couldn’t deal with a worldwide disaster?
0 Comments