You almost certainly have animals living on your face.⁠ You can't see them, but they're there. They are microscopic mites, eight-legged creatures similar to spiders. Almost every human being has them. ⁠ Before you start buying extra-strong face wash, you should know that these microscopic lodgers probably aren't a serious problem. They may well be almost entirely harmless. What's more, because they are so common, they could help reveal our history in unparalleled detail.⁠ ⁠ _____⁠ ⁠ 🔬 They are arthropods, the group that includes jointed-legged animals such as insects and crabs. Being mites, their closest relatives are spiders and ticks. Demodex mites have eight short and stubby legs near their heads. Their bodies are elongated, almost worm-like. Under a microscope, they look as though they're swimming through oil, neither very far nor very fast.⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #skinmites #mites #science #biology #dna #arthropods