Fernbank Museum shines a light on animals that glow

Creatures of Light: Nature’s Bioluminescence examines fireflies, anglerfish, and more
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Creatures of Light: Nature's Bioluminesence
Image by CathyKeifer/Dreamstime.com

In Creatures of Light: Nature’s Bioluminescence (March 26-August 14), Fernbank explores the habitats of bioluminescent animals—critters that create their own light. Here, a few of the animals on display.

  • Anglerfish
    As seen in Finding Nemo, this carnivore has a fishing pole–shaped spine atop its head, which dangles light to capture prey.
  • Fireflies
    Each glowing type—there are more than 2,000 species—uses a distinct light pattern to find a mate.
  • Glowworms
    New Zealand’s caves are covered in light-up larvae that use their brightness to lure prey into a sticky net.

This article originally appeared in our March 2016 issue.

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