Hunting for 'bears' in the backyard - looking for 'water bears' The 'bears' in question are 'water bears', a colloquial name for tiny multicellular critters (typically 0.1-0.5mm long) that have always delighted microscopists. They are properly called tardigrades, and with four
pairs of stumpy legs with a slow lumbering gait they do look like a microscopic bear. Photos, videos. [eng]