Bioluminescent Sea Creatures

Bioluminescence means animals and plants making light naturally. A bioluminescent sea creature is an ocean animal that glows naturally. They usually live in the midnight zone.

There’s the angler fish that uses his glowing antenna as a fishing pole. The angler fish uses its fishing pole to attract little sea creatures because they think it’s plankton. And he pulls it closer and closer and then CHOMP! he eats them.

Dragonfish have lights all down their sides and lights right under their eyes. If they want to go into spy mode, they turn off all the lights, except the ones under their eyes, so they can see the fish and the fish can’t see them. And they use a glowing fishing pole to attract smaller creatures that think it’s plankton. The fishing pole is on their chin.

There are lots more bioluminescent creatures. Jellyfish. Siphonophores. And different kinds of fish.

Charlie M.
age 7

About the Author: Charlie lives near the Atlantic Ocean. He likes to ride his bike, do math problems, play outside, and play games on the computer. 

Dive In!

Do you want to learn more about bioluminescent sea creatures and the science behind bioluminescence? Check out these resources:

• How to Draw an Anglerfish
• Amazing Bioluminescence
• Glowing Oceans Animals
• The Bioluminescence Coloring Book
• What Makes Some Animals Glow?
• Glow in the Dark Jellyfish Costume
• Why Do Animals Glow?
• The Brilliance of Bioluminescence
• Nat Geo Kids – Deep Sea Creatures Playlist

Check out all our Kids Write – World Oceans essays and leave an encouraging comment for our young writers!

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