Mysterious Glowing Mammals: An Unexpected Discovery Sparks a Scientific Investigation
Language: English
Australia Biology Chemistry Investigation Middle Grade Middle Grades Mysteries Mystery North America Ocean Science Scientific Method UV light Wisconsin amphibian backyard biofluorescence biofluorescent bioluminescence bioluminescent discovery duck-billed platypus ecology electromagnetic spectrum flashlight fluorescence fluorescent flying squirrel frog glow investigate light mammal marsupial monotreme museum museum collection museum specimen nonfiction opossum placental mammal platypus rodent scientific investigation specimen springhare ultraviolet light
Published: Jan 27, 2023
Description:
ISBN 9781728460413 (lib bdg) ISBN 9781728485744 (ebook) Late one night, ecologist Jonathan Martin was searching for tree frogs in his Wisconsin backyard when he made an unexpected discovery. As he shined an ultraviolet flashlight in the direction of a high-pitched chirp, Martin saw a flash of bright pink at his bird feeder. That pink glow was coming from a flying squirrel. What was going on? You’re probably familiar with some kinds of glowing animals. Fireflies light up summer nights. Bioluminescent jellyfish and other sea creatures fill our oceans. But some animals glow only under ultraviolet light. This is called biofluorescence. That flying squirrel Martin found turned out to be one of the first-ever recorded sightings of a biofluorescent mammal. Follow along with Martin and his colleagues as they delve into the mystery of the flying squirrels and discover that they aren’t the only glowing mammals out there!