Shelter (noun): Something that affords protection; a refuge, a haven.
The only rule is: no researching. Just post your guess in the comments for fun. Reading other people’s answers before posting your own is optional. Answer will be posted in the comments later today.
Submitted by reader Susan – thank you!
 | SS on Discussion: Should Corporate S… |
 | Clarice on Mor(e)on Mobile Co Pet Killing… |
 | Wendy mcarthur on Mor(e)on Mobile Co Pet Killing… |
 | Marji on Discussion: Should Corporate S… |
 | KateH on Discussion: Should Corporate S… |
 | Eucritta on Science Says Dogs’ Diges… |
 | Carol Tutzauer on Science Says Dogs’ Diges… |
| Carol Tutzauer on Discussion: Should Corporate S… |
 | Peter Masloch on Discussion: Should Corporate S… |
 | Loran Watkins on Discussion: Should Corporate S… |
 | Dr Betty Schueler on Discussion: Should Corporate S… |
 | Scargosun on Discussion: Should Corporate S… |
 | Nelson's Mama on Discussion: Should Corporate S… |
| Scargosun on Discussion: Should Corporate S… |
 | Tina Clark on Discussion: Should Corporate S… |
YesBiscuit
November 29, 2012 at 12:26 pm
Manatee
November 29, 2012 at 12:34 pm
Man in a Manatee rubber suit?
November 29, 2012 at 12:50 pm
dust mite?
November 29, 2012 at 1:30 pm
Louse?
November 29, 2012 at 1:32 pm
HINT: This is a microscopic animal.
November 29, 2012 at 1:39 pm
Tardigrade! Otherwise known as water bear. Or, the cutest little chubbsy wubbsy in pond microfauna.
November 29, 2012 at 1:49 pm
first glance, it looks like some strange costume composed of drab brown bedsheets, and a strange straw in the front.
November 29, 2012 at 1:53 pm
This was my initial impression as well. Second was a Nauga. If anyone remembers those.
On Thu, Nov 29, 2012 at 12:49 PM, YesBiscuit!
November 29, 2012 at 3:11 pm
Right. They used to make chairs out of their hides…
November 29, 2012 at 2:32 pm
it DOES look like something in a rubber suit & no I haven’t a clue what it is. Can’t wait to find out though!
November 29, 2012 at 2:34 pm
It’s an allergic dust mite!
November 29, 2012 at 2:40 pm
Looks like a space alien!
November 29, 2012 at 3:38 pm
I’m truly stumped…Looks like something in a manmade suit though…
November 29, 2012 at 4:44 pm
It’s really microscopic??? I’ll be swizzled….
November 29, 2012 at 4:45 pm
Bedbug?
November 29, 2012 at 5:10 pm
Ugh..I hope I don’t have any of these lurking in my house.
November 29, 2012 at 5:39 pm
ANSWER TIME:
This is a tardigrade. From the link Susan sent me:
November 29, 2012 at 8:55 pm
That is absolutely fascinating.
November 29, 2012 at 10:27 pm
It’s a tartigrade or “water bear”
November 30, 2012 at 11:36 am
I know it’s microscopic, but it looks like a potato growing roots but with some extra parts!
December 4, 2012 at 8:43 pm
I’ve read that they’re not sure how long these water bears can live because they keep coming back to life many times and would be a canadate for space exploration because of their ability to withstand extreme tempetures & dehydration. But what good would one be in space? They can’t drive the ship & have no purpose other than eye entertainment in a microscope.
December 5, 2012 at 7:35 am
They can’t drive the ship (probably) but they could tell us useful information. For example, if sent to Mars, a rover could be programmed to remove them from the spaceship and place them on the planet surface. Then the rover could collect them after a designated time, they could be sent back to earth and studied. Did they undergo any changes? Are they still capable of reproduction? etc. If water bears can survive on Mars, what other forms of life might be living there?