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Japanese sea nettle -

The Japanese sea nettle, also known as the northern sea nettle, is one of many species of bioluminescent jellyfish. They can glow to varying degrees of brightness to scare off any potential predators while "fishing" for their own meals with their long tentacles.

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Tasmanian devil -

These adorable but vicious creatures, native only to the island of Tasmania off the coast of mainland Australia, have special biofluorescent materials in the skin around their snouts and ears that absorb ultraviolet light, invisible to the human eye, and remit it as a bright blue light visible in the dark.

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Dinoflagellates -

Dinoflagellates are tiny, single-celled algae organisms that produce some of the most vibrant and magical scenes on Earth. Decades ago, before so many of the world's coastlines were ravaged by a global disrespect for these fragile ecosystems, many beaches around the world used to glow in brilliant shades of blue when this algae would rise to the surface of the tide and wash up the shore. Today, most of the surviving bioluminescent shores can only be found in the Caribbean.

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Lanternfish -

Over 200 species of lanternfish can be found in the depths of the ocean all around the world. They have unique bioluminescent capabilities running the length of their bodies that are used to communicate with one another.

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Krill -

These tiny crustaceans, mostly known as the choice meal of massive marine mammals like whales, are also bioluminescent. Some scientists have observed that krill can even control the direction of the light they emit, like a spotlight, although the exact use for this is still unknown.

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Firefly squid -

Firefly squid are found in the Pacific Ocean around Japan, and live most of their lives at a depth of between about 600 ft (182 m) and 1,200 ft (366 m) below sea level. When these relatively small squids get spooked, they're known to glow bright blue in an attempt to ward off approaching predators.

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Pink bubble snail -

The pink bubble snail is one of a number of sea snail species that make use of their beautiful bioluminescent abilities. Some scientists posit this ability is used to make the snails appear larger to predators, while other experts think their bioluminescence is used to communicate without having to leave the safety of their shells.

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Ghost mushrooms -

Walking through a forest at night and coming across these glowing ghost mushrooms would certainly make you feel as if you stepped into a dream world. Most commonly found in Australia, the glow of these mushrooms is caused by their enzymes interacting with oxygen.

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Tomopteris -

A particular type of plankton known as tomopteris can be found in all the oceans of the world, usually at incredibly deep depths. Not only are these tiny creatures bioluminescent, they can even eject bioluminescent particles from their bodies, most likely as a defense mechanism to distract their many predators.

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Hatchetfish -

Hatchetfish have a comprehensive system of bioluminescence running through their entire body, and they have an impressive amount of control over which parts of their body they want to glow, and to what intensity. One novel use of their light-producing organs is to mimic the surface light coming through the waters above, making them invisible to any predators below.

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Fireflies -

Fireflies, scientifically known as Lampyridae, are surely one of the most famous of all light-emitting creatures. Many people around the world share fond childhood memories of chasing fireflies around, trying to catch their beautiful flashing bodies in a jar. However, this glow isn't just for fun. Fireflies use their flashing abdomens to communicate with one another and to find mates.

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Angler fish -

One of the scarier creatures of the deep sea, the angler fish is known for its characteristic lightbulb appendage that hangs in front of its face. While angler fish are known to occasionally use their bioluminescent bulb to attract unsuspecting prey in the dark deep sea, it is mainly used to attract mates. Only female angler fish are equipped with this bulb.

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Tornaria -

Tornaria are a particular type of marine larva that will eventually grow into acorn worms. These minuscule organisms are almost entirely transparent, and give off a soft glow as they float through the intense darkness of the deep sea.

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Comb jellyfish -

Comb jellyfish are some of the most fascinating creatures on the planet. Most, like the spot-winged comb jellyfish pictured, are made of 95% water, have virtually no organs, and, you guessed it, are bioluminescent. Tiny protocytes found underneath their translucent 'skin' produce soft glows that are then refracted into beautiful displays of light.

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Pyrophorus beetle -

A certain type of click beetle, known as the pyrophorus beetle, has two glowing 'eyes' on its back. While the process is similar to that of fireflies', the pyrophorus beetle's glow is constant rather than flashing, and is used to attract prey with its alluring light.

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Glow worms -

These glow worms aren't actually worms, and the marvelous strings of glowing dew are more sinister than they appear. These creatures are actually fungus gnats in their larval stages, usually found hanging from cave ceilings. And those long, glowing strings of fungus they produce are used to catch prey. Once the larvae turn into adult gnats, they lose their bioluminescence.

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Gray short-tailed opossum -

This particular species of opossum, native to South America, wasn't on anybody's list of animals most likely to glow hot pink. Nevertheless, scientists recently discovered that, when put under a blacklight, their skin glows hot pink from head to toe. The benefits of this remain unclear.

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Cigar shark -

One of the smaller and less characteristically 'sharklike' species of shark, the cigar shark is one of the only shark species with bioluminescent capabilities. Like many other marine animals, it uses its glowing gift for hunting and feeding purposes.

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Dragonfish -

These small but formidable monsters of the deep have a special organ called a photophore that allows them to produce their own light. Usually used to attract prey, dragonfish also use their bioluminescence to attract mates.

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Pinecone fish -

The pinecone fish, also sometimes playfully known as the pineapple fish, has special bioluminescent components on each side of its mouth that can be triggered on and off by moving its jaw. When the fish's mouth is open, the lights come on, attracting prey into its grasp.

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Springhare -

The springhare, a unique type of rodent found in Africa that falls somewhere between a rabbit and a kangaroo, has been observed both in the wild and in captivity emitting a bright, almost neon, pink and orange light from its back. Scientists are still stumped as to the purpose of this fascinating characteristic.

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Glofish -

While not naturally biofluorescent, glofish still tell an interesting scientific story. The process of producing glofish starts with bioluminescent jellyfish DNA being injected into individual fish eggs. The first generation might not show very obvious signs of fluorescence, but over the years and over generations, the fish from the same line will eventually be born with bright and vibrant biofluorescence.

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Namib sand gecko -

One of a very small number of biofluorescent reptiles is the Namib sand gecko, native to Namibia. This unique gecko has markings on its sides underneath its mostly translucent skin that glow a bright and glorious green under the light of the moon.

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Foxfire mushroom -

Foxfire, sometimes playfully referred to as fairy fire, is a type of fungus similar to the ghost mushroom that glows bright green in the darkness due to a chemical reaction between its luciferase enzymes and oxygen.

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Colossal squid -

The colossal squid, the elusive and terrifying creature that inhabits the deepest, darkest, and coldest corners of the ocean, uses its innate abilities of bioluminescence to attract prey into its 6.5-ft (2-m) tentacles.

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Sea pens -

Sea pens, named as such for their uncanny resemblance to an old quill pen, are a type of coral that live on the ocean floor. When disturbed, they light up in bright and brilliant shades of green, in a quick strobe light fashion, to scare off any predator that might be thinking about eating them.

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Chameleon -

The chameleon is a strong contestant for one of the most fascinating creatures on Earth. Along with their 360-degree vision and their mindboggling ability to change colors at will, scientists have also recently found out that their bones give off a bioluminescent glow that can be seen even through their tough, reptilian skin with the help of a blacklight.

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Glowing coconut octopus -

In one of the greatest tricks of nature, the glowing coconut octopus, whose bright blue trimmings have made it one of the most commonly-assumed bioluminescent animals, is not, in fact, bioluminescent at all. The trimmings along the coconut octopus' tentacles are simply pigmented with a truly fantastic shade of blue.

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Hammer coral -

Hammer coral, more formally known as euphyllia ancora, is a type of hard coral common in the Southwest Pacific Ocean, particularly on the reefs of the Maldives and Salomon Islands. These biofluorescent corals glow a brilliant, neon green underneath black lights.

Sources: (Safaris Africana) (National Geographic) (Wildlife Informer)

See also: Nature's most colorful creatures

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