You've probably seen this picture floating around on the internet: it recently became very popular on sites like Reddit and Pinterest - but what is it ??.. Those glowing blue blobs are actually deep sea creatures called Glowing Firefly Squids, and they are some of the most beautiful of earth's marine life. The Firefly Squid, whose scientific name is the Watasenia Scintillans, is three inches long on average and is considered to be a cephalopod. Its body is covered in photophores, and this is what allows it to glow a light blue and communicate with other members of its species.
Why is it called the Firefly Squid? Well, the answer lies in the fact that the photophores in these marine animals are actually very similar to those found in fireflies. The light is produced by a complicated chemical reaction, which qualifies it as bio-luminescence.
The Firefly Squid can even control these lights to scare off other predators, gather more squids, or lure in prey!
Early in the morning, after 3 AM, sightseeing boats depart the Namerikawa fishing port (Namerikawa is also home to the world's only museum dedicated to the firefly squid) in Toyama,JAPAN prefecture, making a short journey to fixed nets located about 1 to 2 km offshore. As the fishermen haul in their nets, the light emitted by the firefly squid causes the sea surface to glow a cobalt blue, evoking squeals of delight from the tourists.
Sightseeing boats is also available to watch these twinkling organisms.