The Surprising Glow of Fluorescent Cats and Other Mammals
A study conducted by researchers from Curtin University and the Western Australian Museum has revealed that fluorescence, the ability to emit visible light under ultraviolet (UV) light, is much more common in mammals than previously thought. The researchers studied 125 species, finding that all of them exhibited some form of fluorescence, with areas such as fur, claws, teeth, and skin glowing under UV light. The study also found that white and light-colored fur was more likely to be fluorescent, while dark pigmentation prevented fluorescence. The discovery raises questions about the ecological impacts and evolutionary advantages of fluorescence in mammals, providing new avenues for future research.
