“Because tardigrades live in many different environments, whether that’s water or moss or soil, their legs and clases are adapted to suit their home. Those that live in soil tend to have shorter legs and shorter claws than those living in freshwater or on mosses, possibly to help them fit better in the small spaces available underground. Some tardigrades have lost those hind claws entirely, which sounds a bit sad when you think about how cool it would be to have butt claws. That’s a small price to pay for comfort and survival.”
