Bioluminescence

Bioluminescence is the production and emission of light by a living organism. Its name is a hybrid word, originating from the Greek bios for "living" and the Latin lumen or "light". Bioluminescence is a naturally occurring form of chemiluminescence where energy is released by a chemical reaction in the form of light emission. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is involved in most instances. The chemical reaction can occur either inside or outside the cell.

In simple terms, it is light produced by a chemical reaction which originates in an organism.

Bioluminescence occurs in marine vertebrates and invertebrates, as well as microorganisms and terrestrial animals. Symbiotic organisms carried within larger organisms are also known to bioluminesce.

Ninety percent of deep-sea marine life is estimated to produce bioluminescence in one form or another. Most marine light-emission belongs in the blue and green light spectrum which are the wavelengths that can transmit through the seawater most easily.

Non-marine bioluminescence is less widely distributed, but a larger variety in colors is seen. The two best-known forms of land bioluminescence are fireflies and glow worms.

All cells produce some form of bioluminescence within the electromagnetic spectrum, but most are neither visible nor noticeable to the naked eye. Every organism's bioluminescence is unique in wavelength, duration, timing and regularity of flashes.

Enough of the scientific explanation -- let's see it in action! This was filmed in Australia where the glow is electric blue, whereas in Florida they have neon green.