Thermus aquaticus. An odd name that sounds like something out of a science fiction novel. Or perhaps a superhero that rescues people who have fallen to Davy Jones’ locker. It turns out that the name does belong to a superhero, but for reasons that will surprise you.

Thermus aquaticus is the scientific name for a bacterium that grows in hot springs. This bacterium was first discovered in 1969 at a place we’re probably all familiar with: Yellowstone National Park. If you’ve ever been there, you might remember the vibrant colors you can see at the hot springs. Those colors are actually the result of microorganisms like Thermus aquaticus. This single-celled organism lives best at 160 degrees Farenheit, which is 30 degrees hotter than what people thought at the time was the limit for life. Thermus aquaticus not only thrives at extremely high temperatures, it is also very ancient – in fact, its preference for extreme temperatures may be a holdover from when its ancestors lived in the hot and steamy environment of early earth.

This Field Note was written by Camille Barr. Please visit the Field Notes website at the Montana Natural History Center for more information.