10 Spectacular Glow-in-the-Dark Animals

Bioluminescence, aka ability of living organisms to emit light, is one of the most spectacular natural phenomena out there. Animals who were lucky enough to have this awesome feature use it not only to show off, but also to perform various biological functions, like camouflaging, scaring off predators, or communicating.

Prepare to meet ten spectacular animals glowing, blinking, and shimmering with wondrous colors.

1. Fireflies

There are more than two thousand species of these little bugs, most of which can be found in tropical and subtropical zones. Different species of fireflies emit light of different colors: yellow, green, or red. Some beetles can glow continuously, others blink, and there are those that can adjust the brightness depending on external factors.

2. Jellyfish

The South Sea, dotted with thousands of shimmering jellyfish in the night, can match even a starry summer sky. Jellyfish use this feature to satisfy our aesthetic senses and, more importantly, to lure and hunt various small organisms, such as protozoa and crustaceans.

3. Brazilian glowing shark

The abdomen of the Brazilian glowing shark emits a bright green fluorescent light, which makes this predator less visible when viewed from below, masking the shark from its prey. It is curious that the shark poses danger not only to smaller fish but also to submarines.

4. The flashlight snail

Also known as Hinea brasiliana, this snail lights up with a blue-green light when in danger. While other snails can only emit dim flashes from the head area, Hinea brasiliana sparkles like vampire during the day or, you know, a powerful flashlight.