[Faline]

This is a picture of Sparkling Enope squid (also known as the firefly squid) at Toyama Bay, Japan.

They are about 15.24 cm (roughly 6 inches) and die after only one year of life. Found in the Western Pacific ocean, they live at depths of 183-366 meters and only comes up to the surface at night to show off their brilliant bioluminescence. The photophores, the organs that produce the light, are located at the end of each tentacle.

Interesting fact about the Sparkling Enope squid: they are only species of cephalopod that have evolved to be able to see colour in three visual pigments. Scientists think that this is to help them distinguish between ambient light and their own bioluminescence. The firefly squid lights up for two reasons: the lights on the tentacle can flash to attract fish that the squid feed on and the squid can light up its entire body to attract a mate during the months of March to June.

[kellyhound]

cool

[Sharon]

Beautiful

[Darkest Angel]

[butterfly]

Very very pretty . But I would hate to only live a year and then die. I wonder why they only live a year?

[Soar]

Amazing pic.