by Juanita Nonwo – EM TV Online
A glowing turtle is the latest discovery made by scientists in the waters of the great Pacific Ocean.
Known as the Hawksbill Sea Turtle, this creature has become the world’s first glowing reptile displaying bio fluorescence. This occurs when an organism absorbs light then transforms it and re-emits it as a different colour.
In July, David Gruber, a marine biologist, went night diving hoping to capture footage of bio fluorescent sharks and coral reefs just off Solomon Islands when he spotted the turtle instead.
From the National Geographic footage, the turtle can be seen giving off a green and red glow.
This unique characteristic is something the scientists are still wrecking their brains around; but it is thought that the red glow could be attributed to algae growing on the reptile’s shell.
“Biofluorescence is usually used for finding and attracting prey or defense or some kind of communication. It can also be used to attract a mate,” explained Alexander Gaos, the director of the Eastern Pacific Hawksbill Initiative, adding that it may be difficult trying to study this rare creature as its endangered and very few are left.
