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Zombie Worm revived after 24000 years exposing life that can freeze starve and clone itself
Science
Published on 13 May 2026
It survived deep freeze and can reproduce alone
Scientists have revived a 24000 year old bdelloid rotifer from Siberian permafrost, a microscopic “zombie worm” that can withstand freezing, starvation, and even reproduce without a partner. The breakthrough underscores how resilient life can be in extreme conditions, while also raising new worries that thawing Arctic permafrost could awaken ancient microbes and mobilize stored carbon.
- A 24000-year-old rotifer was revived from Siberian permafrost
- It survives freezing and starvation and still remains viable
- The organism reproduces asexually without a partner
- Findings intensify concerns about thawing Arctic microbes and carbon release
Read the full story at The Economic Times
This summarization was done by Beige for a story published on 
The Economic Times