Hey there, young explorers! Did you know that corals are amazing marine creatures? They’re like tiny animals called polyps, and together they form something spectacular called coral reefs. And guess what? Scientists have discovered something truly magical about them!

You see, corals have this special ability to glow underwater. Yes, you heard it right, they can shine! It’s like they have their very own underwater disco party. But why do corals glow? Well, some clever researchers from Tel Aviv University in Israel and Scripps Institution of Oceanography have finally unraveled the mystery behind this dazzling phenomenon.

These scientists found out that corals are like super cool fluorescent creatures. They glow to attract their prey, kind of like turning on a bright neon sign saying, “Hey, plankton, come on over here!” Plankton is like a delicious snack for corals, and they just can’t resist its yummy taste. So, by glowing, corals are basically saying, “Come and get me, plankton!”

Important Details

• To prove their theory, the scientists did some really fun experiments. They used special corals called mesophotic corals that live in the dimly lit areas between the shallow parts of a coral reef and the deep, dark zones of the ocean. These corals come in all sorts of vibrant and fluorescent colors.
  
  
• The researchers set up a fancy dinner table for the plankton, offering them a choice between colorful and transparent targets. And guess what happened? The plankton couldn’t resist the colorful targets. It was like a plankton magnet! They were instantly drawn to the glowing corals.
  
  
• But the scientists didn’t stop there. They also went on an exciting ocean adventure, diving 130 feet deep into the sea where the corals live. They set up special traps, some fluorescent and some transparent. And you know what? The fluorescent traps caught twice as much plankton as the transparent ones. It’s like the corals were throwing the best party in town, and the plankton couldn’t resist the invitation!
  
  
• So, you see, these corals are not just beautiful, they’re also super smart. They know how to use their glowing powers to attract their yummy dinner. It’s like having a secret superhero power, but for corals!
  
  
• Isn’t that fascinating? What do you think about these glowing corals and their clever tricks? Let us know in the comments below, and keep exploring the wonders of our amazing ocean!