![]() It’s thought that this is due in part to habitat loss and partly due to light pollution keeping them from effectively communicating with each other. Sadly, fireflies are not nearly as prevalent as they were 20 years ago. These nocturnal creatures use their ability to glow as a way to communicate with other fireflies and as a way to warn off predators. These insects are able to glow, or be bioluminescent, thanks to a chemical reaction in their bodies. Also commonly called lightning bugs, these insects have sparked many myths and children’s stories, as well as a popular song by a band called Owl City. There are over 2000 species of fireflies in the world. Fireflies firefly at night | image by Takashi Ota via Flickr | CC BY 2.0 They are relatively easy to care for and can make great pets with proper socialization.Ģ. Gray short-tailed opossums are commonly found in the pet trade in the US and Europe. They can have up to 13 babies four times a year and they stay in their mother’s pouch for 3-4 weeks. Short-tailed opossums, unlike most other marsupials, have a very basic pouch which is really just a flap of skin. These opossums are marsupials, which means their babies are born underdeveloped and spend time in their mother’s pouch. It’s not known exactly why opossums developed this trait, but when exposed to black lights they not only glow, they are hot pink! Recently it was discovered that short-tailed opossums fluoresce under black light. They feed on small rodents, frogs, lizards, insects, and fruit. Short-tailed opossums are native to the rainforests of Paraguay, Brazil, Bolivia, and Argentina. ![]() Gray Short-tailed Opossum gray short-tailed opossum | image by Dawson via Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 2.5 ![]() From all corners of the earth and sea, these creatures are bound to blow you away. In this article, we will take a look at 8 animals that glow in the dark. Whatever the reason, there is no denying the beauty of these animals and their natural light-emitting powers. Insects, fish, and even some mammals have developed bioluminescence and fluorescence, though science has yet to figure out some of the ecological benefits to these animals’ glow. Animals that glow in the dark are incredible feats of nature.
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