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What do Cats, Wombats and Polar Bears Have in Common? They Fluoresce

Cat with fluorescent lights shining. Fluoresce cat

Although previously recorded in a handful of mammal species, new research shows that more than one hundred members of this class have the ability to fluoresce. Published in the Royal Society of Open Science, the findings show that cats, wombats, polar bears, and even dolphins were among the 125 biofluorescent mammal species.

Source: SciShow/YouTube

Biofluorescence refers to the ability of an animal to absorb certain ultraviolet wavelengths of light. The creatures then emit the energy as a glow. Biofluorescence can take many different colors. It is different then bioluminescence, which is when reactions within an organism cause the creature to glow. In contrast, an outside light source rather than an internal one causes biofluorescence.

The newly discovered biofluorescent mammals join several other glowing species. Mammal species that have previously been found to be biofluorescent include the platypus, opossums, and flying squirrels. Additionally, South African rodents called springhares were found to be bioluminescent in 2021. Biofluorescence has also been recorded in many amphibian and fish species.

To determine what mammal species fluoresce, researchers tested animal specimens from the collection at the Western Australian Museum. Light-colored fur was more likely to be fluorescent. For the cat the team looked at, only the white fur glowed. Although the team originally hypothesized that nocturnal species would be more likely to be biofluorescent, it turned out that nocturnal animals were slightly more likely to fluoresce than animals that were active during the day. The team also looked at other of the animals’ traits such as diet and locomotion.

Although the researchers’ findings are fascinating, scientists remind people not to harass wild animals. Ultraviolet light can damage an organism’s eyesight. Additionally, lights can cause the animals to be stressed.

There is still so much to learn about many animal species. Sadly habitat loss, Climate change, and Pollution threaten many species with extinction. Sign this petition to Protect Biodiversity!