Beaches that light up as if by magic

[jw5]

Bioluminescence and the sea​

This transformation is repeated in infinite variations in many other animal species. The number of bioluminescent species known to man is very high and the sea is the habitat of most of them. In fact, there are many species of fish, cephalopods (such as wedgefish and squid), and cnidarians (such as jellyfish and corals) that have this ability.

 

[jw5]

Bioluminescence: why do some organisms light up?​

Different animals use this type of light for different reasons. Fireflies, for example, use it for reproductive purposes, while octopuses, on the other hand, use it to scare off predators. Other animals use it to attract prey.

 

[jw5]

Blue waves​

The blue waves we have seen in this gallery are caused by bioluminescence, and specifically by the bioluminescence of plankton. Some seas are particularly rich in phytoplankton and, under the right conditions and when pushed by waves, they emit this cold and hypnotic blue light.