Page 105 - One Million Things: Animal Life - The Incredible Visual Guide

FIREFLY
Also called lightning bugs, fireflies
are nocturnal flying beetles that
have light-producing organs in their
abdomens. These organs contain a
substance called luciferin that uses
chemical energy to release light.
As very little energy is wasted
producing heat, it is a highly
efficient process. Fireflies use light
signals to attract potential mates.

VIPERFISH
The viperfish lives deep in the ocean
where no light penetrates. Like many LONG-EARED BAT
other deep-sea fish, the viperfish
has light-producing organs, or Many bats prey on insects. Bats
photophores. One at the tip of the have poor vision, instead using
dorsal fin flashes to lure prey toward echolocation to navigate and hunt.
the gaping jaws and long teeth. In flight, the bat releases pulses of
Photophores along the body are used high-pitched sounds that bounce
to communicate with other viperfish. off objects. Returning echoes
picked up by the bat’s ears create
a “sound picture,” enabling it to
pinpoint its prey.

RED FOX LESSER BUSH BABY
This opportunistic, nocturnal hunter Galagos or bush babies are active at
has excellent senses of hearing, night, jumping between branches
smell, and vision. Foxes use their ears in African forests. Their huge eyes
to listen for rodents rustling in allow them to see in near darkness.
grass. Their eyes, like those of many Large, movable ears enable them to
nocturnal mammals, have a reflective track flying insects so accurately
layer that improves night vision and that they can snatch them from the
produces the green glow seen here. air with their grasping fingers.

TEXAS BLIND
SALAMANDER
Animals that spend their entire lives
in caves, such as the Texas blind
salamander, have no need of sight.
This pool-dwelling salamander’s eyes
are reduced to two tiny black dots. An
active predator, it uses touch to locate
shrimps and other invertebrates.

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