During molting reproduction can occur, there are both male and female water bears. They are oviparous, and fertilization occurs externally. During molting the eggs are laid inside of the shed cuticle of the female and then covered with the sperm of the male. The shed cuticle case is attached to a nearby substrate. The eggs hatch after 14 days, and the young already possess all of their adult cells. Growing to adult size occurs through hypertrophy, instead of cell …show more content…
While in this state, their metabolism lowers and their water content drops. Their ability to remain desiccated for long periods of time is dependent on the levels of “non-reducing sugar trehalose, which protects their membranes.” While in cryptobiosis, tardigrades are known as a tun. They can survive in this state for a very long time only reanimating when they come into contact with