I remember the first time I saw bioluminescence; it was in The Bahamas (which is where it was first seen by sailors). Tiny specs of light glittering through the turbulent wake, like twinkling stars. The second time I saw bioluminescence, no one could have truly prepared me for how stunningly haunting and magical it was. It was in Viequez, Puerto Rico where my friends and I jumped over the sides of our kayaks into a brackish-water bay and swam in one of the most condense bioluminescence bays in the world. These tiny specs of light dripping off our faces and hands, and fairy-like trails of light swirling behind us as we navigated through the water.
About 80-90% of oceanic creatures create light. Bioluminescence has evolved differently for each creature some use it as a scream for help against predators, casting unwanted attention
About 80-90% of oceanic creatures create light. Bioluminescence has evolved differently for each creature some use it as a scream for help against predators, casting unwanted attention
onto predators to scare it away or attract prey for it, finding food, attracting mates, fending off predators. There is even a tiny squid that releases bioluminescent chemical into the water like an octopus squirts ink. Even the more mundane sea creatures like corals, starfish and brittle stars produce bands of light that dance along their bodies, some animals are even able to change the color spectrum of their bioluminescence.
Bioluminescence is one of my favourite things about marine life. The beauty of seeing tiny particles of light dripping off bow-riding dolphin in the middle of the night in the Caribbean sea, or night diving and turning off your flashlight to see your body agitate and light the bioluminescent organisms. It is like nothing else in this world. The ocean is truly an alien environment, and I am so lucky to have been able to experience these amazing light displays in person.
Bioluminescence is one of my favourite things about marine life. The beauty of seeing tiny particles of light dripping off bow-riding dolphin in the middle of the night in the Caribbean sea, or night diving and turning off your flashlight to see your body agitate and light the bioluminescent organisms. It is like nothing else in this world. The ocean is truly an alien environment, and I am so lucky to have been able to experience these amazing light displays in person.
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