Sea snail turns its entire shell into a glowing lamp

It would seem a bit foolish to put a big cap on the end of a torch, right in the path of the beam of light. But that’s exactly what one type of sea snail does. Hinea brasiliana has a pair of organs that give off a bright glow. Many sea animals have this ability but the snail’s living torches are permanently hidden. They sit underneath the hard shell and can’t be pushed outside. And yet, the light not only finds a way through, it also somehow diffuses throughout the shell so that the entire structure starts to glow.

Although hundreds of sea creatures can produce their own light (bioluminescence), H.brasiliana is one of the few snails to have this

DON'T MISS THE REST OF THIS STORY!
Create a free account to continue and get unlimited access to hundreds of Nat Geo articles, plus newsletters.

Create your free account to continue reading

No credit card required. Unlimited access to free content.
Or get a Premium Subscription to access the best of Nat Geo - just $19
SUBSCRIBE

Go Further

Subscriber Exclusive Content

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet