mushroomflesh: This galaxy of little lights, created by thousands of living creatures is a result from cave glow-worms. Any animal that lives in a cave has to cope with complete blackness. But in New Zealand some creatures have turned this darkness into their advantage. Though beautiful, these silken threads have a sinister purpose. To catch its prey, the glow-worms lower their sticky silken threads. The silk comes from glands in the glow-worm’s mouth and is loaded with droplets of mucus. Once its lines are set, the glow-worm hangs from a muscous hammock and patiently waits. The ghostly blue lights you see in this image is the result of a chemical reaction taking place in a special capsule in its tail. The light literally shines outside its backside. It’s a lure for attracting prey. Insects seem irresistibly drawn to the source. Once they’re stuck in the sticky thread, the glow-worm slowly consumes its catch alive. These glow-worms have solved the biggest challenge that permanent cave-dwellers face, finding a regular and reliable source of food. 

mushroomflesh:

This galaxy of little lights, created by thousands of living creatures is a result from cave glow-worms. Any animal that lives in a cave has to cope with complete blackness. But in New Zealand some creatures have turned this darkness into their advantage. Though beautiful, these silken threads have a sinister purpose. To catch its prey, the glow-worms lower their sticky silken threads. The silk comes from glands in the glow-worm’s mouth and is loaded with droplets of mucus. Once its lines are set, the glow-worm hangs from a muscous hammock and patiently waits. The ghostly blue lights you see in this image is the result of a chemical reaction taking place in a special capsule in its tail. The light literally shines outside its backside. It’s a lure for attracting prey. Insects seem irresistibly drawn to the source. Once they’re stuck in the sticky thread, the glow-worm slowly consumes its catch alive. These glow-worms have solved the biggest challenge that permanent cave-dwellers face, finding a regular and reliable source of food. 

Posted: Thu January 26th, 2012 at 5:43am
Originally posted by mushroomflesh.
HighRes: view

Tagged: planet earth caves new zealand glow-worms

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