...  by Instagramming scientist who shares a look through his microscope lens and into the realm of tardigrades, ciliates and flatworms with his 60,000 followers

• Hunter N. Hines posted his videos to an Instagram account which has since accrued 60,000 followers  
• He records the tiny organisms through hi microscope at a magnification of between 40 and 1,000 times 
• Single-celled ciliates are a popular feature for the Bournemouth University postgraduate student, 
• They belong to a primitive group of organisms known as protozoans and have hair-like organelles called cilia 

One microbiologist is using the world of social media to draw attention to the mysterious world of microbes. 

Hunter Hines has 60,000 followers on his @microbialecology Instagram account, where he regularly shares images and videos of microscopic organisms. 

The PhD student now has more than 60,000 followers and records the tiny organisms at a magnification of between 40 and 1,000 times. 

Single-celled ciliates are a popular feature for the Bournemouth University postgraduate student, along with micro-animals like worms and tardigrades (known as water bears).

Tardigrades are considered to be one of the hardiest organism in the world and can survive the most extreme conditions. 

Mr Hines said: 'The videos and photos on my Instagram show these awesome creatures in their natural state as they are behave and move, rather than just drawings from a textbook.'

Hunter is currently studying for his PhD at Bournemouth University, conducting research in Florida on single-celled organisms called ciliates, looking at their biodiversity and biogeography in freshwater ecosystems.

They belong to a primitive group of organisms known as protozoans and have hair-like organelles called cilia which help them move.

Alongside ciliates, his Instagram account @microbialecology shows microscopic creatures including worms, larvae and micro crustaceans doing everything from laying eggs to eating each other.

The account peaked when it received over 1.4 million views in a single week.

Mr Hines said: 'These are organisms at the foundation of foodwebs and important for ecosystem health. I collect them from freshwater habitats, such as ponds, in Florida, and some are from soil.

'For many viewers this is the first time they are seeing these creatures from the micro world as living things.

'I hope that my posts can reach a global audience, and show microbiology in a positive light, while inspiring interest in science to anyone with internet access.'

WHAT ARE TARDIGRADES?

Tardigrades, also known as water bears, are said to be the most indestructible animals in the world.

These small, segmented creatures come in many forms - there are more than 900 species of them - and they're found everywhere in the world, from the highest mountains to the deepest oceans.

Tardigrades, also known as water bears, are said to be the most indestructible animals in the world.

They have eight legs (four pairs) and each leg has four to eight claws that resemble the claws of a bear.

Boil the 1mm creatures, freeze them, dry them, expose them to radiation and they're so resilient they'll still be alive 200 years later.

An illustration of a tardigrade (water bear) is pictured 

Water bears can live through temperatures as low as -457 degrees, heat as high as 357 degrees, and 5,700 grays of radiation, when 10-20 grays would kill humans and most other animals.

Tardigrades have been around for 530 million years and outlived the dinosaurs.

The animals can also live for a decade without water and even survive in space.