BETA
Chapter 1
The chemistry of living light
Chapter 2
Deep-sea hunting and survival strategies
Chapter 3
Defense mechanisms in the dark
Chapter 4
Communication and community in the abyss
YOUR GOAL
Master of Bioluminescence in the deep ocean
Ch 3 · Defense mechanisms in the dark
artiteacher Defend your buddies by activating light to discover how deep-sea creatures glow.
artiteacher Defense mechanisms in the dark
Down in the deep, where no sun shines bright, / Critters make their own living light.
artiteacher Many deep-sea animals use glowing bellies to blend in with the faint sunlight filtering down from above.
artiteacher The vampire squid and deep-sea shrimp release glowing clouds of mucus to blind and distract predators.
Fun Fact
Atolla burglar alarm: When attacked, the Atolla jellyfish flashes a bright blue ring to attract a larger predator to eat its attacker.
Glossary
counterillumination (noun)
A form of active camouflage where an animal emits light to match the radiance of its background. In the ocean's twilight zone, hatchetfish use ventral photophores to blend with downwelling sunlight and evade predators.
A form of active camouflage where an animal emits light to match the radiance of its background. In the ocean's twilight zone, hatchetfish use ventral photophores to blend with downwelling sunlight and evade predators.
Quiz
How does the Atolla jellyfish's burglar alarm display protect it from predators?
Quiz
What happens to a predator that consumes an animal covered in burglar alarm mucus?
Quiz
Which body part can some brittle stars intentionally drop to distract predators while they escape?