Hydras

Hydras are small, fresh-water animals related to jellyfish and corals. They have a tubular body, with a mouth at the top surrounded by tentacles used for capturing prey. Hydras can regenerate lost parts, and some species reproduce asexually by budding, creating new hydras from their bodies. They are known for their remarkable ability to stay young—certain cells they possess do not age, making them interesting to scientists studying aging. Hydras play a role in aquatic ecosystems as predators of tiny organisms and are often studied to understand regeneration and cellular processes.