A Water Bear, one of the most amazing creatures to ever live.

'Water bears' is 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.

Tardigrades ( Water Bears ) live in moss and ferns. They are some of the most amazing animals on Earth. They can survive:

Temperatures as low as -200 °C (-328 °F) and as high as 151 °C (304 °F);
Freezing in a block of ice,
Lack of oxygen,
Lack of water for as long as decade(s).
Levels of X-ray radiation 1000x the lethal human dose,
Most noxious chemicals,
Boiling alcohol,
Low pressure of a vacuum; like that of space,
And high pressure (up to 6x the pressure of the deepest part of the ocean).

They may be microscopic, but are very cool!

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[edit] Steps

Find a mossy place, like a forest, near a pond, or even in your backyard!
Be sure that the moss or lichen you are aiming for is wet, as you will have a better chance of finding them.
Collect a sample of the moss or lichen with tweezers and put it in a petri dish.
Dampen the moss completely so there is a centimeter of distilled/rain water in the petri dish. This will make the Water Bears active. Allow to soak for 8 - 24 hours.
Squeeze the water from the moss into the dish.
While the water is still in the dish, look at it under the microscope.
- If there is a Water Bear, you've struck jackpot. The petri dish will be its home.
- If not, replace the water and try again with a different piece of moss until you find one.
Water Bears eat moss. Put moss in once a month.
Water Bears also eat Nematodes, little worms that also live in moss. Try to find nice, wet moss for the Water Bears as that is most likley to have Nematodes.

Nematod, also known as a roundworm.
Replace the water in the petri dish once it dries out.
Enjoy the Water Bear!

[edit] Tips

After you soaked the moss, don't leave all the water in, feel free to drain some.
You could look at moss under a microscope to see if Nematodes are there for your Water Bears to eat.
This can make a wonderful science project!

[edit] Warnings

Don't mistake Water Bears for rotifers and nematodes.
Be very careful when looking at your Water Bear under the microscope, they are easily crushed.