The ability to biochemically produce and emit light in the dark is called bioluminescence. And it is one of the most fascinating phenomena in nature. While beautiful to an observer of glow-in-the-dark creatures, many creatures use bioluminescence as part of their survival, defense, and hunting strategies as they use this ‘cold’ natural light to attract prey. either mate with or distracts predators. Humans have also expanded the list with some unlikely creatures, using the advancement of science. Let’s find out about these resplendent animals:
1. Firefly
There are more than 2000 varieties of fireflies, found in temperate and tropical environments. Also called lightning bugs, they have specialized light-emitting organs under their abdomen. They produce light of different colors, such as yellow, green, or pale red, and they emit the light in flickering patterns to attract mates. Light is also a sign of its unappetizing taste.
2. Jellyfish
The jellyfish is another well-known luminous creature. With the help of fluorescent proteins, photoproteins, and other bioluminescent proteins, this glorious animal can create the most beautiful underwater scenery as it emits an otherwise transparent glow from its body. Therefore, it is a favorite animal to display in public aquariums.
3. Cookiecutter Shark
Barely reaching the surface of the sea, the cookie cutter shark has a unique way of eating: it cuts cookie-sized chunks of meat from the body parts of its prey. The ventral part of its dark brown body is filled with cells that emit light to cold light. This light combines with the dim light that filters in from the sky and blurs the familiar silhouette of the shark in the sea.
4. Clusterwink Snail
While glowing snails exhibit bioluminescence in the form of faint flashes in the head and feet region, the winking snail is the only snail that shakes its shells like tiny light bulbs. The spiral shells emit a blue-green glow in flashes as a form of self-defense. In reality, it is the shell that amplifies and diffuses the light that is produced from a single soft spot on the snail’s body. This light impacts the predator and even attracts the predator from the snail predator.
5. Bioluminescent Bacteria
Some bacteria, which live in the marine environment or in the decomposition or guts of sea creatures, have the ability to produce light. Many animals live in symbiosis with these bacteria and, in exchange for shelter and nutrition in their bodies, use their bioluminescence. Monkfish, for example, have bacteria that live in their barbed form, which glow to give using their bioluminescence. Lanternfish have bacteria that reside in the small organs under the eyes, while Hawaiian bobtail squid harbor such bacteria in their mantles.
6. Arachnocampa Gnats
Also known as the New Zealand Glowworm, this fungus gnat is a luminescent creature that inhabits damp caves, damp forests, and grottos. The caves, one of the most famous is Waitomo, are infested by these worms that form a glowing canopy when they adhere to the ceilings or walls of caves, or form threads of luminous worms.
7. Sea Sapphire
The Sapphirine or sea sapphire is a small parasitic crustacean or copepod. Tiny and transparent, this creature is found in the marine environment around the world. These animals do not shine: the shine. The reason behind this is the iridescent glass plates within the epidermal cells that capture the light and reflect it. Different species emit different colors of light, including gold, blue, etc.
This display of luminescence is only in the case of males who probably use it as a way to attract females. They light up and, in the blink of an eye, disappear. Also creating the most wonderful experience for the observer.
8. Scorpion
Scorpions are neither bioluminescent nor iridescent, and they also don’t glow with the help of bacteria. They glow when exposed to UV lights of certain wavelengths. They emit a bright blue-green fluorescence under “black light” and also if there is enough moonlight.
Although the true reason or use of this fluorescence is not yet known. But, scientists are beginning to believe that since scorpions do not like and even ultraviolet lights. They probably use this mechanism to measure the light level. And, therefore, determine whether or not to go hunting. Of course, there could be other uses as well, like recognizing each other.
9. Firefly Squid
One marine creature that puts an end to the bioluminescence act of all other creatures is the firefly squid or the glowing nope squid. Each year off the coast of Japan, firefly squid is spotted for a fascinating light show. It uses its light-producing organs called photophores; They emit a deep blue light that can be turned on and off in unison or in multiple patterns.
These predators flash with light to attract their prey and also to attract mates or confuse their predators about their shape. They are seen gathering in Toyama Bay during the months of March to May, which is their mating season. Many spiders and insects also possess this ability.
10. Man-made Glowing Animals
Scientists have used the sophistication of modern technology to engineer genetic alterations in different animals, such as; Cats, pigs, sheep, fish, cows, etc. and turned them into luminous creatures. According to scientists, this can help create animals with human diseases so that they can be studied properly. And also to improve their production, as well as the quality of the products that we obtain from them so that they can be better resources for human consumers.
The natural glow mechanism comes from various methods like bioluminescence, iridescence, etc. and these mechanisms are greatly inspiring people to develop innovative inventions, and glowing animals are becoming the natural cold light source for scientific studies.
