Melbourne: A tiny new species dubbed ‘water bear’ has been discovered in Antarctica and members of this species can survive in space, researchers said.

The animals are indestructible. They will not die even if they are boiled, frozen or squeezed under pressure. REPRESENTATIONAL picture

Researchers found the new creature while on a trip to Victoria Land, some 5,600 km south of Australia. The creature is a member of the tardigrade family.

“Under the microscope, they are slow walkers but they look like bears walking. They have four pairs of legs and can hold their back legs down and arch themselves up to reach things,” Sandra McInnes of British Antarctic Survey was quoted as saying.