6 Animals That Shine With Their Own Light

Animals that shine with their own light are more common than you might imagine, although this strategy is not dominant in nature. Here are some of the most fascinating examples.

When you read the phrase “glowing animals,” surely your first thought is dedicated to the firefly. However, the number of living beings capable of emitting light is much greater than you imagine.

This process, called bioluminescence, is found mostly in invertebrates and marine animals. In the following lines, you delve a little into the light production process and you will be able to read about some bioluminescent animals. Do not miss it.

What is bioluminescence?

Bioluminescence is the process by which some animals actively emit light – not to be confused with biofluorescence, which is a reflection of light. This process can occur in 3 different ways, which are the following:

1. Intracellular bioluminescence : light is produced by specialized cells within the animal’s own body. This type of bioluminescence is found in many species of squid.
2. Extracellular bioluminescence : it is a process of oxidation of luciferin, which gives rise to the enzyme luciferase. When released to the outside, luciferase produces luminous clouds. Fireflies and some abyssal animals produce light in this way.
3. Bioluminescence by symbiosis with luminescent bacteria: animals that shine through this method control the light emission through photophores, small sacks where they keep bioluminescent bacteria.

Bioluminescence has several survival functions – camouflage, warning – and reproduction, since it is part of the courtship of some species. In certain cases it is even used to attract prey. If you want to know which animals shine with their own light, below you have the most fascinating examples.

6 animals that shine with their own light

Surely you have heard of some of these luminescent living beings, but indulging in this phenomenon does not understand species. Do not miss these 6 animals capable of shining with their own light.

1. Fireflies

There are around 2000 species of fireflies and each of them has its own way of glowing. These insects emit light through the oxidation of luciferin and shine as soon as they are larvae. In adulthood, they use this quality to find a partner.

2. Scorpio

Although there are several theories, it is not very clear what role bioluminescence plays in the scorpion. All species glow under ultraviolet light. In addition, the intensity of its brightness increases as the molts occur, which is very useful to estimate the age of the specimen.

3. Firefly squid  ( Watasenia scintillans )

This small squid – only 7 centimeters long – uses an incredible technique to camouflage itself: backlighting. At will, it mimics the refractive pattern of light through the surface of the water, so that predators looking at it from the bottom will not be able to distinguish it.

There are several species of these cephalopods that are considered bioluminescent, but these are known for the light show they produce in Toyama Bay (Japan) when they come ashore to spawn.

4.Lanternfish (Lophius piscatorius)

This abyssal fish is already known by many due to its peculiar appearance. The female is about 15 centimeters tall and has on her head an organ called a candle, similar to a fishing pole with a light bulb at the end. With it, this fish generates the light with which it attracts possible prey in the middle of the darkness of the depths.

5. Rainbow jellyfish

There are many types of bioluminescent jellyfish, but the appearance of this particular species is peculiarly beautiful. In fact, that this jellyfish lights up is a method of defense, since that way it could attract animals that eat its predator.

6. Animals that shine and prey: sharks

Animals that shine with their own light and evolution

The presence of animals that emit light is a wonder to the eye and the curiosity. With each new bioluminescent species that is discovered – both animals and plants, which also exist – the reason for the most fanciful forms of nature is closer and closer to being unraveled. What will we have left to know?

Of course, this evolutionary mechanism is risky and effective in equal measure. Emitting its own light is a huge energy expenditure, but it also brings a series of benefits that other living beings do not have. In nature, in the end everything consists of a biological scale.