Read more about platypus biofluorescence here. Another possibility is that biofluorescence plays no role in the survival of the species, and instead may be a residual trait that is remnant from earlier in the platypus’ evolutionary history. While scientists are unsure of its purpose, one suggested purpose of biofluorescence is that it could play a role in camouflage for the small mammals. But under UV light they appeared green or cyan. scientists that platypuses glow under UV light, further tests by Australian scientists have shown that other mammals, including marsupials, also glow. In a recent post, we presented how following the accidental discovery by U.S. Although the reasons for biofluorescence are largely unknown, scientists have discovered that sea turtle shells, fungi, and flying squirrels are also sometimes biofluorescent. Biofluorescence refers to the phenomenon by which a living organism absorbs light and reemits it as a different color. More research will determine how platypuses use their ultraviolet glow in the wild. As nature’s favorite grab-bag of special features, the platypus appears to be even MORE magical. Under ultraviolet lightWOWZA Their fur GLOWED greenish-blue. Initially thought to be unique and rare in the biosphere, discoveries like this one indicate that biofluorescence is relatively common in the animal kingdom. Under normal light, platypus fur appeared brown. The new discovery expands scientists’ knowledge of biofluorescence, or the phenomenon where organisms absorb and re-emit light. It was a mix of serendipity and curiosity that led us to. Now, a new study has found that these strange mammals glow blue-green when illuminated by UV-light, adding to their list of odd traits. Anich and her colleagues discovered that platypus share the glowing fur by exposing three stuffed specimens to UV light in a dark room. The fur of the platypus absorbs UV (wavelengths of 200-400 nanometers) and re-emits visible light (of 500-600 nanometers), making it fluoresce. These animals have duck-like bills and beaver-like tails and they can only be found in Australia. But under UV light they appeared green or cyan. ![]() They are also one of very few mammals that are venomous, as the males have venomous spines on their rear legs. ![]() Platypuses are one of the planet’s only living members of the monotreme family: the mammalian group of animals which lays eggs. Scientists Discover that Platypuses Glow Under a Blacklight
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