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Why Do Fireflies Have Blinky Bottoms? episode artwork

Nov 7, 2026 7 min

Why Do Fireflies Have Blinky Bottoms?

from Be Smart. Hosted by Joe Hanson

Viewers like you help make PBS (Thank you 😃) . Support your local PBS Member Station here: https://to.pbs.org/PBSDSDonateUploaded 03-07-17Try CuriosityStream: http://curiositystream.com/smart Want even more illuminating ideas? SUBSCRIBE! ►► http://bit.ly/iotbs_sub ↓↓↓More info and sources below ↓↓↓ Nearly all life on Earth is ultimately powered by light. But many creatures have learned how to make their own. This week we investigate the beautiful phenomenon of bioluminescence. From blinking fireflies on summer nights to glowing deep sea monsters, prepare to learn about the chemistry of living light. REFERENCES: Eisner, Thomas, et al. "Firefly “femmes fatales” acquire defensive steroids (lucibufagins) from their firefly prey." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 94.18 (1997): 9723-9728. Martini, Séverine, and Steven HD Haddock. "Quantification of bioluminescence from the surface to the deep sea demonstrates its predominance as an ecological trait." Scientific Reports 7 (2017).

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