Could someone please turn on a light?

This week, guest blogger Karen Johnson talks to children about animal-light (bioluminescence). Next week she’ll write for adults about people-light (LEDs). Karen gives weekly tips for sustainable living in her newsletter, Earth For All Ages.
 
Isn’t it nice that we can turn lights on in our houses?  With a flip of a switch, we can have light coming from our TV, computer, and even our car, so we can see at night as well as during the day.  But what about the other creatures? They must live by natural daylight, moonlight, or – their own light, which is called bioluminescence.​

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Show-offs!

Bioluminescence is the ability of an organism to create its own light. It is one of nature’s most amazing accomplishments – like something straight out of a science fiction movie.
 
On land, fireflies and some fungi can make their own light, but bioluminescence is actually more common in the deep sea. Bacteria, jellyfish, starfish, clams, worms, crustaceans, squid, fish, and sharks are some of the groups of marine animals that have bioluminescent family members.
 
Bioluminescence (nature’s way of bringing your own light) may help creatures find food or a mate, or it might help with self-defense.

Check out this TED-Ed video for kids.

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