The 2nd round continues with an intriguing match up. What our two competitors offer here is a question of durability versus toxicity. They met in Group C and could not be separated. Neither really impressed and they attracted the least votes of any qualifier. The viewers at home will be hoping for more than a bore draw this time out.
Tardigrade - Group C tied 3rd with 10 votes - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tardigrade
While the Tardigrade might look like little more than a microscopic pillow, it can credibly argue to be the most resilient of all animals. Changes in temperature, pressure, food and even radiation are met with little more than a shrug. The Tardigrade has been found to withstand temperatures ranging from -200 to 150° C. It can survive boiling liquids and pressure up to six times that experienced in the deepest ocean. Oh yes! And space. It can live in space. Unprotected. It's ancestors have survived all five of earth's mass extinctions. How does it achieve this phenomenal hardiness? When deprived of water it goes into a state known as cryptobiosis: curling into a ball, known as a tun, and slowing its metabolic rate to 0.01% that of normal. Tuns have been successfully revived after 30 years of stasis. While it might not be a back street brawler, its hard credentials remain beyond reproach.
Black Mamba - Group C tied 3rd with 10 votes - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_mamba
Within the snake kingdom the Black Mamba is something of an award winner. It is among the world's deadliest snakes and is thought to be responsible for thousands of human deaths over the years. It can "run" faster than many people, having a "sprinting" speed of up to 12 miles per hour. Extremely toxic, the Black Mamba allies speed with an aggressive response when threatened. It strikes repeatedly and delivers a high volume of venom. Just two drops of its venom can be enough to kill a human; shutting down the nervous system and paralysing its victim. Best avoided. Not a house pet.
Tardigrade - Group C tied 3rd with 10 votes - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tardigrade
While the Tardigrade might look like little more than a microscopic pillow, it can credibly argue to be the most resilient of all animals. Changes in temperature, pressure, food and even radiation are met with little more than a shrug. The Tardigrade has been found to withstand temperatures ranging from -200 to 150° C. It can survive boiling liquids and pressure up to six times that experienced in the deepest ocean. Oh yes! And space. It can live in space. Unprotected. It's ancestors have survived all five of earth's mass extinctions. How does it achieve this phenomenal hardiness? When deprived of water it goes into a state known as cryptobiosis: curling into a ball, known as a tun, and slowing its metabolic rate to 0.01% that of normal. Tuns have been successfully revived after 30 years of stasis. While it might not be a back street brawler, its hard credentials remain beyond reproach.
Black Mamba - Group C tied 3rd with 10 votes - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_mamba
Within the snake kingdom the Black Mamba is something of an award winner. It is among the world's deadliest snakes and is thought to be responsible for thousands of human deaths over the years. It can "run" faster than many people, having a "sprinting" speed of up to 12 miles per hour. Extremely toxic, the Black Mamba allies speed with an aggressive response when threatened. It strikes repeatedly and delivers a high volume of venom. Just two drops of its venom can be enough to kill a human; shutting down the nervous system and paralysing its victim. Best avoided. Not a house pet.
